And what did we see... we saw the sea

The first time we had been invited to Portsmouth for a vintage event was for the inaugural Victorious Vintage (albeit on the second of two days) which was held at the Historic Dockyards.  As we arrived we saw that it was already quite busy, and there was more than enough to occupy the thousands of people through the gates.

There were three stages (including an acoustic stage) which played host all sorts of many bands.  However, the more ‘vintage’ singers had to perform in the smallest of the three stages, inside Boathouse No. 7.  I felt this was a shame as most of the rest of the event (stalls etc.) had maintained a ‘vintage’ theme, yet there were no swing or big bands that I saw (there was a rock ‘n’ roll band who played at least one song from ‘Grease’).  The headliners were Dodgy and The Lightening Seeds – big in the ‘90s but a slightly odd choice for this festival.



With Betty from Betty Blue's Loungerie

We had a few quick interviews with Betty from Betty Blue’s Loungerie (her siren suits are absolutely gorgeous), Katie Vale and Annie Andrews (who we also saw performing).  The day didn’t have a particularly ‘Jubilee’ theme, but I’m not sure if that was deliberate or not.

With Katie Vale the milliner

Annie Andrews performing

It was nice for people to be able to see some of the most important ships in British history without having to pay upwards of £20 a ticket (although this option was still available if you actually wanted to see inside the HMS Victory or HMS Warrior).  Incidentally, I found out yesterday that when my granddad was in the Navy, he was stationed (if that is the correct term) on the Victory in 1949, ’50 and ’57 - which is rather impressive and also explains why I spent a fair amount of my childhood looking round those very ships.  There were a few well dressed people (not as many as I was expecting) and here are a few I photographed.

I wore a blue and white striped sunsuit I picked up for £18 in Lewes.  I was hoping to be able to take off the white Broderie Anglaise skirt I was wearing, but alas it was a little chilly.  My shoes were from Marks & Sparks and the hat I made myself.  I was quite pleased when someone thought it was an original!

 

We bumped into Naomi Thompson
on her home turf in Pompey



All in all, I think it was a good day out, with a particularly interesting setting, but a few more clothing stalls (definitely more for men) and a little more thought with regards to the bands playing (‘Three Lions’ doesn’t strike me as particularly ‘vintage’) and Victorious Vintage will hopefully be an annual event and can come back much stronger next year. 

Victorious Vintage - Jubilee on Her Majesty's Ship

A few weeks ago (on a much sunnier day than this), I accompanied Naomi Thompson and Fleur De Guerre to a photoshoot aboard the HMS Victory in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.  The reason for the photoshoot is an brand new vintage event that is happening over the Jubilee weekend - Victorious Vintage.

The festival will take place at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (one of my favourite places to visit when I was growing up) on 2^nd & 3^rd of June between 10am-10pm each day.  Unlike many other large scale vintage events, entrance to the festival will be completely free (although I think you still have to pay to go on the HMS Victory, HMS Warrior et al.)

There will be everything you could want from a vintage festival, with performances from lots of bands on the various stages (including headliners Dodgy and The Lightning Seeds - a little bit '90s I know).  Annie Andrews will also be performing, as will local dance groups putting on Charleston and Land Girls shows.

 

So that's the music and dance covered, now onto the style.  There will be stalls, not just selling clothes but also other vintage goodies.  If you find something particularly gorgeous, be sure to put it on as there will be people searching the crowds and awarding 'Best Dressed' prizes.  To complete your look, there will also be a Vintage Salon (run by LeKeux events) so you can get your hair and make-up done to perfection.

If, after a long day of grabbing yourself a covetable frock or must-have set of china, you find yourself a little weary, you can take in one of the classics which will be shown at the Action Stations cinema.  If all that shopping and watching bands has given you even more pep, there is also a Laser Quest on site!

I’ll be there (along with the rest of the Vintage News) so there will be footage of Victorious Vintage later on in June (probably not of the Laser Quest though!)

Have a look on www.victoriousvintage.co.uk if you'd like to know a bit more.