10 Things I Learnt From Goodroots London

Goodroots London is an urban wellness and food festival, which was hosted for the first time this year at the amazing MC Motors venue in Dalston. Sarah and I headed down for the day on Saturday and were more than a little bit impressed with the set-up, speakers and food offering. Full post tomorrow but here are 10 things that I learnt from Goodroots London. Here's to next year! 

The Vogue Festival 2013

The Vogue Festival has just been announced. The 27th and 28th April 2013. A Saturday and Sunday - perfectly convenient for those working or studying during the week which should ensure a fab audience turnout.

An amazing experience for anyone that has an interest in fashion, the festival allows a glamorous insight of all things fashion and design. With the opportunity to meed leading designers, photographers, models and fashion editors and gain a unique insight into their lives and work any budding creative, and even industry professions, will want to attend.

What struck me though when I clicked onto the website this morning was the extortionate ticket prices. Paul Smith & Alexa Chung is £40 (+ booking fee), The Secrets to Creating a British Brand, £30 (+ booking fee) and Michael Kors also £40 (+ booking fee - of course!).

Last year, the festival was a set price for each day - and much cheaper as far as I can remember - and attendees were invited to all of the days talks and experiences. For me, the festival is about broadening knowledge of the fashion world for those keen to enter it, or simply looking for a bit of insider knowledge and I would expect this to be affordable.

As a student with a keen interest in fashion I would love to attend but the idea of forking out £100 (consider travel, food etc) for a talk that lasts an hour or two is not so appealing. Yes, the event is high end and Vogue is couture but it should also be accessible. Isn't that what the fashion industry strives to do - ensure accessibility and a platform for creativity and expression? I hope that in future either I have a slightly nicer student budget or wait until I'm working or the event team decide to add a concession ticket price. I'm still going to see if I can stretch the budget - the talk by Alexa Chung will be incredible I'm sure - but I may resent doing so more than a little, 'work experience' may have to become a key phrase in that little bit of spending!!

 

You can find out more about the festival, and book tickets at:

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/festivals-series/the-vogue-festival-2013

Step into the Fairytale... Festival Attire

Last weekend was the start of the festival season… Isle of White, Hackney Weekend, and that is just the beginning. So, I thought I’d put together a pinboard of some of my favourite festival must haves!A little white dress is a basically a necessity… it can be styled up or down whatever which way you fancy! This one is availiable now at topshop.com.



As is a pair of good wellies, and of course some dancing shoes for if the sun does make an appearence!
http://www.hunter-boot.com/







Short shorts, long cashmere socks.

SHORTS - TRF @ ZARA (£20-£30).
SOCKS - HUNTER, BORA BORA CASHMERE.










A Barbour of course. The first one is a little ebay find, the second from the Barbour Spring/Summer collection which can be found here… http://www.barbour.com/womens-clothing/jackets-coats/wax/classic-womens/beaufront-jacket



Never jeans. Never ever jeans. And thats speaking from experience. Vintage is always better - there’s nothing worse than being in the same Topshop dress as every second girl standing around the main stage for the headline act. This is one of my favourites…



This gorgeous tea dress cost 20p from a jumble sale! It was floor length with huge shoulder pads but it had a little visit to the tailor and now is the perfect length for summer - with or without tights depending on the kindness of the British Summer!

And a gorgeouss, shoulder bag - big enough for a (plastic) bottle of Vodka so that you don’t to pay the extortionate prices in the middle of the festival allll day long.

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/179317 (£695) - this would be my ideal, classic and elegant yet also practical.

And of course a bit of glitter, nothing beats it!!

Later in the eve, this is one of my absolute faves as it is so classic and cosy, the bfs will work just as well of course…



A big scarf, some dry shampoo and some good concealer along with a bit of bronzer - what more could you possibly need?!



Tartan scarf - vintage (car boot sale bargin at 50p!), Dry shampoo - batiste, available at Boots, Powder and Concealer both by MAC and I swear by them, and the Bronzer is from Bare Minerals. MAC lip conditioner is also amazing for the festival and summer season as not only is it SFP but it gives your lips a little bit of a tint - post on summer make up to follow!

But essentially, even though you’ll probablly end up looking something like this, if not ALOT worse! it will be an amazing amazing experience…



My first festival was when I was 16, now I’m 21 and apart from the disgusting toilets I still can’t get enough - music, fashion, amazing people and the BEST memories. And my top tip? Meet someone that has backstage access/make friends with security. The toilets are always SO much better!!! You can also look into stewarding, free tickets and food, nicer facilities and you can do your shifts before the festival starts so you can still have the best experience with friends that have paid… check it out here:

oxfam.org.uk/Stewarding