Queues were starting to build as I arrived with the sun shining and my festival ticket was in my hand. The queues were already starting to form and I was anticipating the chatting and shopping ahead of me.
Whatever the weather, there’s plenty to do in Bath.
Me and my chum had been planning a day out in Bath for ages and we’d hoped for some glorious sunshine. On the day we visited it was cold and raining, but that didn’t curb our enthusiasm for a fabulous day out. After lunch in Cafe Lucca we went rummaging around the streets looking some for vintage shops and found the most wonderful Vintage to Vogue, tucked away down an alley, and very close to the Fashion Museum.
After another cup of tea (we like our tea), we popped into the Fashion Museum for some more vintage treats. Lucky us! There were two exhibitions on – the History of Fashion in 100
Objects and Lace in Fashion. Here’s a browse through some of the treats we spotted on our visit.
Gorgeous garments dating from the early 1600’s onwards.
All hand embroidered and hand stitched. The workmanship’s breathtaking.
Dresses from the Georgia Period in the 1700’s.
These Muslin dresses of the 1800’s.
A beautiful printed cotton day dress dated around 1860.
An embroidered Dolman – part coat, part cape, dated 1870.
A gorgeous, embroidered silk bodice and skirt dated 1865.
Fabulous vintage ‘fashion on a ration’ 1940’s pieces.
The Lace exhibition was a smaller curated selection of the most exquisite pieces, ranging from historical to contemporary catwalk couture.
Examples of bobbin lace, tatting, crochet and many other forms of lace are on display.
I never knew there was so many forms of it!
And to finish.
I fell in love with this little number from Alexandra McQueen.
If you’ve enjoyed my edited highlights, then pop along to see the other beauties on offer – vintage embroidered gloves, tiny shoes and there’s also some lovely outfits you can dress up in too!
This was my first visit to Bovey Tracy. I’d heard so many wonderful stories over the years about the brilliant artists who showcase their creations at the Festival, that I just had to come visit and check it out for myself. I was so excited!
Around 200 artists were nestled side by side in the longest adjoining marque I’ve ever seen. Ceramicists were in stands next to jewellers, next to mixed media and textile artists. The place had an amazing buzz of energy, chatter and creativity and it was crammed full of shoppers just like me.
My aim for the day was to catch up with my textile friends, check out their latest work, make some new acquaintances and then browse and indulge in some shopping.
I spent some time chatting with very talented Linda Miller, Viv from Hensteeth, Janine Pope of Mudrabbit and Ella Robinson, before chatting to other artists whose work I adored. I really did quite a bit of chatting.
……I bought some unique artwork made by Anya Keeley – ‘The Mill’ – my new little Lancashire Cotton Mill.
This beauty came home with me.
… I loved this vintage mobile cinema (called Audrey) who was showing the most wonderful black & white Pathe films all about textiles, fabrics and crafts – I watched the Cashmere Story.
