Bristo Square was transformed into a haven of vintage treasures last month, as the Vintage Village Fete raised funds for local and national arts based charities.
From acoustic music to vintage fashion, retro hair styling and even an artisan café, all tastes and fancies were catered for as Edinburgh city centre embraced the glamour and elegance of a bygone era. The red bus sessions saw local acclaimed music talent captivating crowds on board a double decker bus, while the retro army tent, kept fashionistas and bargain hunters alike satisfied with rails of vintage fashion, accessories and bespoke antiques.
The event was organised by University of Edinburgh students Emily Ewes and Eleonore Jackson following a ‘Dragons’ Den’ style competition where entrants pitted their money-making concepts against one another in the hopes of entrepreneurial success.
“Luckily they liked the idea! It was wildly imaginative and much harder to put into practice than we could have ever imagined, but completely worthwhile.”
One of the main priorities of the Vintage Village fete team was the fundraising process.
“Being students of the arts ourselves, it was essential for us to give something back to the arts scene in Edinburgh.”
Three charities are set to benefit from the fun and festivities of the day including the Craigmillar Community arts centre, who work to inspire confidence, education and self-expression in the greater Craigmillar area of Edinburgh; Cardboard Citizens, a London-based charity dedicated to helping and supporting homeless and displaced people through theatre and the performing arts; and the Forest Café, a volunteer run, free arts and events space masquerading as a vegetarian café, that was closed last year, but continues to operate without its cafe element.
Harry Giles, a spokesperson for The Forest Café, spoke of the charity’s delight at being involved in the event:
“It’s great that the student organisations are still campaigning for the arts centre and that there is still a sense of community spirit in Edinburgh. We are so happy that the Vintage village Fete is helping us as we work towards reopening an independent, creative space.”
The long list of musicians and bands signed up on the red bus order of play also spoke volumes of local dedication to the charitable organisations involved. Performers included Matt Norris & The Moon, Three for a girl, Emelle, and a rousing set from Glaswegian four piece Finding Albert.
Robert Shields, Finding Albert’s frontman, was very enthusiastic about the bands involvement in the retro renaissance and had no qualms about performing for such a good cause.
“We got an email telling us about the event and all the crazy plans they had and it was something we all wanted to do from the off.”
For more information on the organisations involved and details of how to donate visit; http://blog.theforest.org.uk/savetheforest, http://www.craigmillarcommunityarts.org.uk and http://www.cardboardcitizens.org.uk.
For all the latest on Finding Albert go to http://www.findingalbert.com
Photography by Sam Hughes http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Sam-Hughes-Photography/120846091296582
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