Not the usual beast!

You know a trend has gone mainstream when someone dedicates a film or event to it – and Vintage at Goodwood (VAG), a new festival launched last week is one of these.   While vintage-themed events are nothing new to the Chichester site – Goodwood Revival, a celebration of classic cars has been running since 1998. VAG, curated by Wayne Hemingway of Red or Dead fame (apparently investing a 7 figure sum of his own money), has positioned itself as ‘a celebration of five decades British cool from the 1940s-1980s,’ incorporating everything from food, film, music, design and fashion.   The recession has certainly fuelled popularity for what used to be known as second hand clothing. You only have to look at the emergence of vintage-themed businesses and websites to see that this really is a way of life for some people – and a great money spinner. And we can’t underestimate the influence TV series like Mad Men have on us.   So with my hair backcombed within and inch of its life and donning the compulsory vintage dress and sunnies, my friends and I descended on Goodwood- and we loved every second of it.   This really is good old fashioned fun. We entered the site via a fairy lit forest, through a kitsch looking entrance and straight into the Vintage High Street which had the same attention to detail you would find on a film set, complete with vintage cars ‘parked up’ beside shops.   There was a beauty salon to help you complete your look and while we made our way down the clean, wood chipped lanes, a line of ladies dressed in vintage bathing costumes strutted past. To achieve glamour in the middle of a field could be a challenge, but everything came across with style. I didn’t see one piece of litter all day – perhaps punters had more respect for this well thought out environment and took on the manners of a bygone era. However, there was a rumour circulating that Hemingway employed a stealth team of collectors to keep everything looking pristine.   The format provided the perfect opportunity for brands to get involved. Retailers whose executions were most effective were those with a clear link to their heritage. Most impressive was John Lewis who recreated their 1950s haberdashery where you could learn to stitch and pick up a vintage dress pattern. Others included Dr Martens, IWC, Fortnum and Mason and Kenwood. Hemmingway predicts that the high street area with double in size next year as brands clamber to get involved and showcase their take on the vintage trend to consumers. With the hype following this year’s event I don’t doubt his predictions, particularly as many brands may have been a bit cautious to invest in a new festival this year.   The organiser’s online interaction with attendees was well thought out. A free app was available to download via their website featuring the full line-up and a lovely map so we didn’t miss a thing. The Facebook profile was also really well managed with regular updates and the community provided real supported, particularly when we wanted to know vital information such as whether to bring wellies or not.   Entertainment was also true to the theme - we had an absolute blast at the Tanqueray Torch Club. Manned by a maître d’ in a white tuxedo we were escorted to a table where we enjoyed gin cocktails as we watched the various tea dances, while Roller Disco and a top line-up including Motown legends Martha and the Vandellas completed the night.   This is my kind of festival and I can’t WAIT for next year!

If the landlord didn't insist on his walls being painted white, Brando would get these guys in to help with the Christmas decorations.  A collection of the finest street and urban artists are coming together to create the Nightmare before Christmas show. The crew will be taking over, painting on and pasting across one of London’s West End’s most established venues. The launch is on Tuesday 16th from 5pm for art, live music & drinks all within the freshly painted Yule time surroundings. The show runs on till Christmas eve, so there’s plenty of time to check it out. Pure Evil, Rugman, Focus, Snub, Hutch, ATG, One Trick Pony, Sin House, The Krah, Oh Death, Dan Kitchener, Paintshop, Ashab, Mishfit, Inkfetish and many more. The Courtyard, Sin, 144 Charing X Road, London, WC2H 0LB Open Noon til 7pm Daily (Closed Sunday 21st) until Tues 23rd Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road

Brando went to the preview and it was well worth a visit if you’re in the manor…Free and super cool, with some of the best emerging multimedia artists…check out the pole dancing / DJ robots!). It's been extended til Dec 21st. http://www.mutatebritain.co.uk/ Don’t just take my word for it check out the robo dog on here http://www.dontpaniconline.com/magazine/success/robo-dog Also, Cordy House where the exhibition is held is a really interesting venue with 20,000 square feet of event space across 6 floors, which include a basement and two huge roof terraces.