I do love a good collaboration. These jackets were a joint effort with the super talented upcycling label Red Mutha. These guys have been doing it since the 90’s. They used have a shop in Brighton but now they focus on festivals and online sales instead.
The jacket pattern were designed, cut and sewn by the talented Red. She used old curtains and sweatshirts in washed out cream and gold. I can really appreciate how much work went into these. The mutton sleeves, the lining…
I continued the process by adding the embellishments to them. More is more after all! Plus a statement jacket is not complete without a leopard on the back, or maybe an owl or doily in some cases. Here is the outcome. Only 6 jackets in this collection and all of them completely unique. They will be listed in my Etsy shop.
When preparing for the season ahead its always difficult to predict what the weather is going to be like. But as we are in the UK, rain and cold evenings are always on the cards. So we make summer kimonos, bra tops as well as jumpers and jackets to cover all angles. Who would have thought 2018 was going to be the hottest summer in over 40 years?
Sunny Farr Festival
First stop this year was the local Alfresco Festival A small intimate little number focusing on groove based dance music. And as there was no Glastonbury this year we had June off festivals (but still super busy making stock) to enjoy the sunshine in Brighton.
In July we continued with Farr Festival. A young crowd where its all about dance music. And I mean from 12 midday until the early hours. Not a single band in sight. There weren’t much dressing up going on and I think the youth had prioritised buying other things to keep the weekend interesting. So it was pretty slow. Plus the only act I wanted to see, Moodymann had cancelled. Meh! But hey, it was a scorcher of a weekend so we topped up our tans and got to know our fellow traders.
Me and Matt Latitude Stylee
Next up was Latitude Festival. Another sweltering weekend where everyone was too hot to try anything on, or wanted to buy your display parasols. At least our usual spot in front of the main stage gave us good views and entertainment.
We hadn’t been to Bimble Bandada for a few years. Small but perfectly formed. Definitely remains as one of our favourites. Even the bad weather on the Sunday didn’t put us off! Sadly they are having a break next year. Roll on 2020!
After Bimble we had one night in our own bed then headed straight to Bestival. Thankfully they moved the festival to the mainland last year, so we didn’t have to get on a ferry to the Isle or Wright or anything. We were part of the Dressing Up Tent, a shared space with lots of other creatives. Always nice not having to set up a marquee.
Self styled Matt at Shambala
Bonbon bra at Bimble
Neon pompom kimono
Ruby rocking our Fringe top at Bestival
Crochet Dress at Number 6
Our regular customer Jo at Latitude
Silver Angel Jacket at Number 6
Figaro Opera Coat at Number 6
We had a weekend off back in Brighton before we headed to everyones favourite; Shambala! Sharing yet again with Crystal Vintage. Unfortunately I wasn’t very well so I mainly sat around on a beanbag watching the festival go by. Could have been worse!
This year also said goodbye to Festival Number 6. As it was their last one it would have been rude not to go. Being north Wales, the September rain was unavoidable but hey, we made a bit of a Welsh road trip out of it. Such a beautiful part of the world.
Yet again we take away from another festival season, happy customer and many moments of dance and laughter. Hoping 2019 will be as warm and sunny, but please mother nature give me notice so I can make more bikini tops!
After last years challenging one I was in two mind about doing another season. But as they say time is a great healer and I hadn’t come up with a grand plan to change career, plus I did think “can it be any worse than last year?” Not possible. So yes, we did pack our bags and van and made it to six(!) different festivals. How did that happen?
Well, I’m glad I did decide to do another season as the weather was (mostly) glorious! Especially Glastonbury. It was so dry people were complaining about the dust! (always something). We also finally got offered a pitch up in the Green Fields instead of down in the main market babylon. Yay! Its like a different festival up there…
Latitude, Wilderness and Shambala were sunny too, but sadly Secret Garden Party did get some rain. It was the last one ever too! It was still lovely and it did clear up.
I also went along with Red Mutha to Bestival that now have moved from Isle of Wright to the mainland. I wanted to check out the new site, but we had one dry day and it rained, and rained… Mud bath! Luckily I only had half of rail of stock to pack and de-mud the other end.
But all in all it was an great season in every aspect. Lots of new friend and happy clients.
I love working with denim. Especially embellishing denim jackets. It’s a great way to use all those beautiful little trimmings, borders and fringing I find on my adventures. Each piece turns out completely unique. Half way through the festival season I found some time to make some more. Here they are. Get in touch if there is one you like, when they gone they are gone!
The world is overflowing with textiles! We buy them, wear for a bit, then get rid of them, either by donating to charity shop or putting it in the bin. Most of these clothes still got plenty of life left in them, but fashion changes or we have no space left in our wardrobe so we choose to throw out and make space for new.
Suit jackets are timeless pieces. However they can be a bit plain and boring if you want to wear the outside the office. Here are a few I customised for the festival season.
I bought these amazing trimmings in Mumbai exactly for this purpose. All painstakingly hand stitched with love.
If you got your own suit that needs some bedazzlement, we are here to help!
