Getting Sweaty at the Garden Festie

Having just experienced the Garden Festival in Croatia for the second time, I can seriously say I am an addict! The first time was just a taster of the new improved version, which took place this year in the sleepy coastal village of Tisno, near Zadar. Guaranteed to be sunny, I kind of knew what to expect as I packed…

Still retaining the same hedonistic, specialist, slightly underground acts including Crazy P, The Faith DJs, Baby G and Eric Duncan, alongside the legendary Argonaughty boat trips, with DJs including Greg Wilson and the Apple Pips rocking the waves, I was excited to see some people I had not heard of. You could even find me dancing under the stars at Barbarellas, not every night (Too old for that- but how could I resist Norman Jay and Kenny Dope?!) meant I grooved until dawn on a couple of occasions….with the courtesy bus back to the town being the best invention ever!!

I did manage to save some energy for the Apple Pips crew who were manning the waves on the last night- which was a complete ball. What could be better than getting your groove on, on a boat in the middle of the Adriatic Sea, to thumping bass, with new friends, watching the sun set? It was the ultimate high and an amazing end to this year’s festie.

The new venue of the festival is perfect combination of chalets, dorms and campsite, on site restaurant, proper loos (!!) as well as portaloos...and long may it continue; With only a 20 minute stroll to the “Bridge” which is the start of the town, many revellers chose to stay away from the site in apartments or the several hotels in town, and just dip in and out throughout the day.

On the other hand, why would you?! When on the festival site, you have access to a private beach, food stalls and massages, and much needed shade, with the background of the beach bar djs playing chillaxed tunes, all day... And with the cocktail bars selling the BEST champagne cocktails I have ever tasted, it would be rude not to relax on a beanbag and watch the sun go down. And if you have never donned your bikini and danced in the sea to Candi Staton- you have been missing out.

With the rest of the town remaining a passive holiday destination, there is a lot of relaxation to be found away from the site, so if all night partying is not for you, I suggest hiring scooter, car or even boat and exploring the coastline. You could even venture to the nudist beach…or maybe that was just me!

With a friendly hugely mixed bag of a crew, you are sure to meet folk from all corners of the world- on and off the site, and they all have one thing in common- that they intend to come back next year.

With rumours of a cheeky new addition to the festival calendar- a Garden Festie in the Philippines in January, as well as year two in Tisno, I am excited already.

Check out www.gardenfestival.eu for more details on next year’s events.

By Sara Darling

Like music? You will love the FLY53 fanzine....

FLY 53, the premium rock n roll streetwear label, really is in the know as far as keeping on top of new talent in music and beyond. And not being greedy, the lovely folk at FLY53 HQ, want to share their discoveries, and are bringing out their latest fanzine in July for your bespectacled delight (glasses optional obviously!)

Promising to be packed full of exclusive interviews, gossip and news, it will be just like your chatting to the guys themselves- apart from you will probably never get the opportunity! I mean when is it ever likely you would ever get to chew the fat with some of the folk associated with the FLY53 crew? Previously featured in some way or another, have been Queens of the Stone Age, Gary Numan, Hudson Mokawke, Tim Burgess and Example, for example.

The bi-annual fanzine, like the brand takes inspiration from b-movies, porn, drugs and rock and roll, and is almost the antisthesis of seriousness. Like someone who is gets straight A’s without even trying!! Tongue is meant to be firmly planted in cheek, so if you have no sense of humour, you might as well stop now and go back to bed.

With in depth and slightly ireverant interviews with bands including the Gallows, Atari Teenage Riot, Zulu Winter, The Futureheads, and the delightfully named, Scroobius Pip; You can see fashion and other musings, all rubbing shoulders nicely alongside an exclusive remix by the dance gods Utah Saints.

Available from July online and in print at selected stores across Europe. I know I can’t wait to get my grubby paws on it!

By Sara Darling

Love Fashion? You Will love the Vintage Festival

With 2012 being such an iconic year for the UK, it seems only right that iconic design legend Wayne Hemingway, has created a festival to celebrate all that is fabulous about Britain. True to its name, the Vintage Festival promises to celebrate eight decades of British culture and cool, covering music, fashion, art and design-which is no mean feat, but an exciting one at that.

This year, the festival is taking place this year in the grounds of beautiful Boughton Hall in Northamptonshire on 13- 15^th July. A venue which lends itself perfectly to perky post war fashions, vintage cars, swinging sixties, psychedelic seventies, emo eighties and in my humble opinion, not so hot nineties, all of which are accounted for at this three day event.

There will be over 250 market stands selling a whole spectrum of vintage wares, alongside fashion shows, clothes making workshops, make up lessons, vintage cars and caravans, record and art stalls, a cinema, roller discos and dance classes….This mini fest is bound to provide something for boys and girls who like dressing up and know how to have fun. And expect lots and lots of that…. With cameras set to be street styling at every opportunity, the seriously cool are potentially going to be scouted on the spot, to walk the runways of the numerous fashion shows, which are taking place over the weekend.

Style legends Twiggy and Jo Wood, are each curating a fashion shows throughout the weekend, with Twiggy highlighting her era of the sixties and showcasing original fashions of the decade; And Jo’s is inspired by the disco era of Studio 54. As well as Rusty Egan and Brendan Cole who will bring their own style to the stage. With original vintage pieces rubbing shoulders with upcycled and customized goods, expect unique, individual and one of a kind designs, and be sure to bring your camera!

But it’s not all about the clothes or shopping, the evening entertainment is just as varied with bands confirmed including Chic, Alice Russell and the cabaret act Nouvelle Vague. there is even a vintage fun fair, cinema and superbly camp Champ Olympiad, which really has to be seen to be believed!

With access on site for camping, or glamping- it wont even matter if the weathers a bit iffy- although it may affect your kitten heels!

Dress to impress and pick up your tickets from www.vintagefestival.com

By Sara Darling

If you cant eat e numbers... look away now!

Girl Eats Food is a new internet cookery show from the heart of real North London, and it does exactly what it says on the tin…

Presented by the antithesis of Nigella, this feisty, tattoo-ed twenty something, chomps, chat and chortles her way through the shows whilst ACTUALLY making something the audience will want to eat! Filled with e numbers, clashing tastes and nothing at all for vegans, this show is bound to be a sure fire hit!

Preview shows have shown presenter Joanna Fuertes- Knight demolish the leftover bags of popping candy and squirty cream, in the process of creating a piece of art that you can eat- also known as Popping Candy Pavlova; And another episode follows her to the butchers, with small talk so small, it would never make it to the BBC….

Spurned on by her hit blog of the same name, Joanna is a natural presenter/show off and the 12, four-minute shows are easy to follow, easy to watch and make you want to join in- purely because she seems to be having so much fun! With no pinny, overpriced organic produce or pretentious tupperware in sight- in fact it seems the only ingredient, which is absolutely essential, is access to a corner shop. And perhaps some booze. Keeping it local of course (but maybe not home grown!)

If you want to impress your friends with Oylmpic Athlete Nachos, or know how to inject (yup I did say inject!!) your leg of pork, look no further than this show, which is surely going to become an underground hit!

Check it out on http://www.vice.com/en_uk/girl-eats-food new shows every Thursday -you can even download the recipes too!

By Sara Darling

Dreaming of a Festival in the sun....

If you’re as fed up as I am with the British summer time, and you are craving sunsets, pina coladas and dancing under the stars…I have good news for you!! You CAN achieve that dream at the new improved Garden Festival in Croatia.

Having experienced the delights of the Garden fest before, I am very excited to see this years offering of tempting talent in a new venue further along the Adriatic coast. Still a winner for those who like to get their groove on, the promoters have picked the cream of the international crop to dj and perform live, with Chilean Nicolas Jaar, a name I am looking forward to- along with classics including Norman Jay, Kenny Dope and Greg Wilson.

The new venue now boasts apartments on site in the Garden village- where I forsee after parties galore….! And Barbarellas club now has an outside space for those who can’t take the heat!! As well as the infamous afternoon boat parties, where you will be guaranteed to meet everyone on the boat!, and your facebook photos will be the envy of your UK friends.

And when you get all danced out, the festival is a mere ten-minute stroll to the village, which has a secluded bay and sandy beach- perfect for the mornings after.

Scuse me while I just check the London weather forecast- rain for the next three weeks- this year’s festival takes place 4-11 July, so I know where I will be!

For more information and tickets check out the www.thegardenfestival.eu

By Sara Darling

STORM

Talk about kicking up a STORM with design.

55employees swung down to the STORM press day to see what the brand had coming up and if we could get any inspiration on a grey day.
The Sanderson Hotel was hosting the day with delicious bagels for breakfast and fresh orange juice, just what 55ers need to get geared up.

STORM known for their strength in fresh and bold design have this incredible range based around the London Olympics using strong colours and aluminium. Bringing a classic retro looking format of watch up to date but not making it gimmicky. We found the design so strong we really wanted to rave about them. 

Certainly check out and don't hold back, they're limited!

One of the 55ers fell in love with their digital design, and I must admit I was rather impressed myself. Definitely for the more adventurous wearer but again holding back from the gimmick and producing good design thats wearable.

Finally we spotted some little gems that I'm sure you will see in 55pages. These quirky industrial wrist bands that are so unisex you can buy for her and wear it yourself. My best kind of gift.

Take a look at what storm has to offer www.stormwatches.com

Sorapol and creative director Daniel Lismore A/W 2012

London Fashion week ends and in true Daniel Lismore style as he creates his own fashion event gathering half of London.

As creative Director of Sorapol, Daniel is know for his extreme theatrical and avant gard production that he brings to the fashion brand.

Being hosted in the old arches below Waterloo station made for an incredible atmosphere, for those that remember SHUNT, cast your minds back for some idea of the vibe.

With a style heavily influenced by European military from the Crimean War and Baroque theatre, this show was far more than clothes down a catwalk. 

The show was around 15 minutes long with the models slowly walking to what was staged similar to corpses in a theatrical production. 

Strong elements of fantasy came along with the production conjuring up old Europe in a creepy but romantic style.

There were some incredible head pieces who we were told by Soropl himself, took up to six months to produce.

Along with the design and what we felt were some of the strongest elements in the show was the hair design with the intwined gas masks and skulls. Something we will definitely take influence from the creative direction of Lismore.

London fashion Week is unique with its hard edged creative explosion of ideas that is then taken to other fashion weeks and worked more commercially. 

The satellite shows around LFW are essential to the energy and independence created in London and with Daniel Lismore producing the Sorpol show it strengthens London's Art and Fashion identity for what we shold all be proud and thankful of.

For a full interview with Sorapol, Daniel Lismore, Boy George and Mark Moore go to 55factory.net and see 55tv

Author - Christopher SIms                       Images - Asia Werbel