Portobello Road comes to Pump Street

Embracing all things kitsch and cool, the Vintage Fair is among the events planned for the city’s first ever Fashion Fest 2014 this November 20-23. The event is being run by Derry City Council through its Business Opportunities Programme, with support from Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund.

Organised by the Cathedral Quarter’s own traders and creative industries, the Fair will again shine a spotlight on all that is unique and memorable about the city. Elayne McNicholl, of Bedlam’s vintage fashion store Gladrags and Handbags, is one of Fashion Fest’s steering committee, and she can’t wait to bring a bit of Portobello to Pump Street!

“Over three days the Cathedral Quarter will be transformed into all things fashionable and vintage,” Elayne said. “Not just fashion for ourselves, but fashion for the home... real style.

“Last year, City of Culture put us on the map and now we feel it’s time to take that to another level. Fashion Fest and this Vintage Fair will show off what Derry can do brilliantly, and that’s quirkiness and individuality. We have our own quirky creativity and a really strong cottage industry of people creating beautiful, one-off bespoke pieces, and that is precisely what we should be promoting through Fashion Fest. We should have the confidence to tap into this individuality and make this festival stand out from the others.”

Situated within the Old Convent on Pump Street, Bedlam has swiftly established itself as more than just a market, with a labyrinth of shops offering niche, antique, vintage, curiosities and homemade goods. As part of Fashion Fest, the Cathedral Quarter will present some fantastic workshops and demos, and Bedlam traders are among those offering their expertise.

“All the creative people within the Cathedral Quarter have come together to showcase what they do and are more than willing to share their expertise and skills,” Elayne said.

“Hansel and Gretel will hold a workshop on crocheting vintage-style collars and Pretty Betty Treasures will hold an up-cycling and embellishment workshop for soft furnishings. There will also be a workshop on creating floral head-wreaths, presented by Milkweed Vintage Floral Arrangements.”

Other Pump Street traders are getting involved too. “There will be a jewellery demonstration with Pump Street jeweller David Thomas, and Doc Pot’s ceramic workshop will show you how to make something fashionable for your home. Derry Print Workshop will hold a workshop on designing your own material too. There will also be a number of pop up shops along Pump Street from Thursday and an exhibition of new and established designers from Derry and surrounding areas too,” Elayne revealed. “Then our brilliant Vintage and Crafts Market will open from November 21-23 – Portobello Road-style! On the Saturday afternoon we’ll have our vintage catwalk on Pump Street.”

As well as the Vintage Fair and workshops, Fashion Fest 2014 will also feature top designers, an industry focus day, fashion shows and a spectacular Irish Wedding Showcase in St Columb’s Cathedral.

Friday November 20 will also see a special Creative Communities Fair event where each of the city’s community areas will showcase their activities and community group work as well as sell gift items made by each of the organisations including knitwear, jewellery and hairpieces.

To register your interest, apply to take part in Designer Showrooms or book your pitch for the Vintage Fair, please contact: Tara Nicholas on: 028 7136 5151, ext. 6980, or email: [email protected]. For more information on the various events and opportunities arising for Derry~Londonderry’s Fashion Fest 2014, see: www.derrycity.gov.uk/fashionfest.