I am a published journalist..
Check out my feature in today's Independent. You KNOW my mum has bought 50 copies. And quite right too.
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And here's what it all says. Sorry this is long and probably boring but (some of) you asked for it.
It’s that time of year again – yes, festival season is well and truly upon us, and with Glastonbury kicking off this Friday, it’s time to prepare for the annual oxymoron that is festival fashion. Whilst many attendees wisely choose to leave their sense of style at the gates - opting instead for the less attractive, but wholly more practical option of waterproof trousers and bin-bag wrapped shoes - there is a dedicated army of fashion followers who look upon their extended weekend under canvas as the perfect opportunity to debut their summer wardrobes.
The high street is awash with festival staples – forget penknives and sleeping bags, the essential camping kit for 2007’s discerning festival goer consists of hot pants, wedge heel wellington boots and a designer tent. But why has this happened? Why has the muddiest, scummiest form of entertainment known to man become such a middle-class, fashion obsessed, must attend event?
The answer lies partly, of course, with the patron saint of festivals herself, Kate Moss. Having become something of a permanent fixture in the VIP area at Glastonbury via her assorted rock-star boyfriends and cohorts, Moss routinely parades the festival grounds in an array of looks that inspire her followers and, eventually, the high street. With each summer come more clones, whilst festival campsites nation-wide swell with Cath Kidston tents and the bourgeois yummy mummies who inhabit them. It’s hard to believe that festivals were once considered a breeding ground for style – beloved of trend predictors for their abundance of youth culture and undiscovered talent. Now they are filled with identikit Moss wannabees and fashion victims in their freshly bought ‘festival outfits’ as dictated by Heat magazine. Even the line up looks decidedly middle of the road this year, with dad rock favourites The Killers and The Who taking up two of the three headline spots.
However despite this homogenised conformity, fashion remains an important part of the festival experience. Planning your wardrobe wisely is essential, as even though fashion rules in the fields of Worthy Farm, the festival’s marketplace itself has very little to offer the potentially huge number of style enthusiasts holed up inside its sacred gates. The rather unappealing options up until now consisted of official merchandise stalls selling poorly designed XXL band t-shirts, or the equally unattractive markets flogging velvet jester hats and patchwork clown pants – unfortunately still selling by the dozen, as anyone who has stepped foot in the Fields of Avalon can attest.
This year, however, things are set to change slightly with the news that Stella McCartney has designed a limited edition vest top which will be sold exclusively on the Oxfam stall. With only 4900 available (the other 100 will be given away backstage to bands, and, presumably, Kate Moss) they are sure to become one of the festival’s must-have souvenirs, allowing you to be suitably smug with the double attraction of designer label and festival badge of honour. At £30, they are slightly pricier than your average vest top, but all proceeds go directly to Oxfam, and, let’s be honest, for the cost of a round in the beer tent, it’s a much better investment.
And here are the comments that go with the pictures (from left to right)
Lily Allen
Second only to Ms Moss in terms of inspiring trends amongst fans, watch out on campsites nationwide this summer for Lily Allen look-a-likes. Her performance at last year’s V festival debuted her now infamous style of prom dress, chav jewellery and chunky trainers. Although not entirely practical for wading through quagmire fields, it’s nice to see a female celebrity vetoing the usual festival outfit by numbers combo of hot pants and (you guessed it) wellies. Lose the fag and co-ordinating Yankees cap and there you have it – a fresh, fun and feminine festival look. Expect more of the same when she performs at this year’s Glastonbury.
Kate Moss
Kate Moss not only embodies festival chic, she practically invented the damn thing. Her infamous welly, waistcoat, and hot-pant get up may not have been Ray Mears approved camping gear, but it’s the look that launched a thousand imitations. In fact, copies of much of her festival wardrobe can now be bought at Topshop… under the Kate Moss range. Wonder where the inspiration for that came from? Lest we forget though, ladies, Kate is hardly roughing it with the rest of us. It’s much easier to appear well groomed when your camping experience consists of a suite at neighbouring Babington House.
Gwyneth Paltrow
The original Earth Mother herself, Gwyneth Paltrow, also wisely opted for wellies whilst supporting hubby Chris Martin at Glastonbury. Bucking the trend for Hunter boots – as worn by the Royal family, Angelina Jolie, Sarah Jessica Parker, and (obviously) Kate Moss – Gwyneth opted instead for Swedish brand Tretorn’s lace-up style. Ideal for ladies with skinny little legs, the tie front boot is also a subtle nod to next season’s fetish inspired footwear – who would think entertainment’s most boring couple had a kinky side?
Pete Doherty (this is the first version, which was for a different picture - I can't find the new version online so sorrrry)
Considering his missis is the arbiter of festival fashion, it’s hard to believe Pete Doherty still gets away with stumbling around VIP areas dressed like this. Grungy chic is one thing, looking like a sheepish Worzel Gummidge is quite another. We all know it gets hot at festivals, especially when wearing what appears to be a bad 70s polyester suit, but Mr Doherty is flaunting rule number one of summer style. Just because the sun’s shining, doesn’t mean it’s OK to get your gut out – and don’t think the wooden crucifixes are helping. Pete, please try harder at Glastonbury – if you decide to turn up.
Beth Ditto
The Gossip's Beth Ditto appeared postively conventional backstage at Radio One's Big Weekend earlier this year. Gone was the catsuit, covered up was the buxom body, breathing easy were the sweaty armpit. In this blue tunic top and skinny jeans, Ditto looks cute, cool, adn most importantly for any festival performer, comfy. Hell, she's even managed to coordinate her lanyard and sunglasses.
Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse and her hair are set to play three of the four main UK festivals this summer, and if her outfit from this month’s Isle of Wight festival is anything to go by, we’ll be seeing plenty of her (boom boom). The shrinking starlet seems to live in her white vest and cut off shorts these days, although the jury’s still out on which of her new looks the skimpy outift is designed to show off – is it her tiny new frame or her impressive collection of old-school sailor tattoos? Either way, it appears the newlywed singer has successfully prepared herself for festival season – that bouffant looks solid enough to last the summer.
TADA
And here's what it all says. Sorry this is long and probably boring but (some of) you asked for it.
It’s that time of year again – yes, festival season is well and truly upon us, and with Glastonbury kicking off this Friday, it’s time to prepare for the annual oxymoron that is festival fashion. Whilst many attendees wisely choose to leave their sense of style at the gates - opting instead for the less attractive, but wholly more practical option of waterproof trousers and bin-bag wrapped shoes - there is a dedicated army of fashion followers who look upon their extended weekend under canvas as the perfect opportunity to debut their summer wardrobes.
The high street is awash with festival staples – forget penknives and sleeping bags, the essential camping kit for 2007’s discerning festival goer consists of hot pants, wedge heel wellington boots and a designer tent. But why has this happened? Why has the muddiest, scummiest form of entertainment known to man become such a middle-class, fashion obsessed, must attend event?
The answer lies partly, of course, with the patron saint of festivals herself, Kate Moss. Having become something of a permanent fixture in the VIP area at Glastonbury via her assorted rock-star boyfriends and cohorts, Moss routinely parades the festival grounds in an array of looks that inspire her followers and, eventually, the high street. With each summer come more clones, whilst festival campsites nation-wide swell with Cath Kidston tents and the bourgeois yummy mummies who inhabit them. It’s hard to believe that festivals were once considered a breeding ground for style – beloved of trend predictors for their abundance of youth culture and undiscovered talent. Now they are filled with identikit Moss wannabees and fashion victims in their freshly bought ‘festival outfits’ as dictated by Heat magazine. Even the line up looks decidedly middle of the road this year, with dad rock favourites The Killers and The Who taking up two of the three headline spots.
However despite this homogenised conformity, fashion remains an important part of the festival experience. Planning your wardrobe wisely is essential, as even though fashion rules in the fields of Worthy Farm, the festival’s marketplace itself has very little to offer the potentially huge number of style enthusiasts holed up inside its sacred gates. The rather unappealing options up until now consisted of official merchandise stalls selling poorly designed XXL band t-shirts, or the equally unattractive markets flogging velvet jester hats and patchwork clown pants – unfortunately still selling by the dozen, as anyone who has stepped foot in the Fields of Avalon can attest.
This year, however, things are set to change slightly with the news that Stella McCartney has designed a limited edition vest top which will be sold exclusively on the Oxfam stall. With only 4900 available (the other 100 will be given away backstage to bands, and, presumably, Kate Moss) they are sure to become one of the festival’s must-have souvenirs, allowing you to be suitably smug with the double attraction of designer label and festival badge of honour. At £30, they are slightly pricier than your average vest top, but all proceeds go directly to Oxfam, and, let’s be honest, for the cost of a round in the beer tent, it’s a much better investment.
And here are the comments that go with the pictures (from left to right)
Lily Allen
Second only to Ms Moss in terms of inspiring trends amongst fans, watch out on campsites nationwide this summer for Lily Allen look-a-likes. Her performance at last year’s V festival debuted her now infamous style of prom dress, chav jewellery and chunky trainers. Although not entirely practical for wading through quagmire fields, it’s nice to see a female celebrity vetoing the usual festival outfit by numbers combo of hot pants and (you guessed it) wellies. Lose the fag and co-ordinating Yankees cap and there you have it – a fresh, fun and feminine festival look. Expect more of the same when she performs at this year’s Glastonbury.
Kate Moss
Kate Moss not only embodies festival chic, she practically invented the damn thing. Her infamous welly, waistcoat, and hot-pant get up may not have been Ray Mears approved camping gear, but it’s the look that launched a thousand imitations. In fact, copies of much of her festival wardrobe can now be bought at Topshop… under the Kate Moss range. Wonder where the inspiration for that came from? Lest we forget though, ladies, Kate is hardly roughing it with the rest of us. It’s much easier to appear well groomed when your camping experience consists of a suite at neighbouring Babington House.
Gwyneth Paltrow
The original Earth Mother herself, Gwyneth Paltrow, also wisely opted for wellies whilst supporting hubby Chris Martin at Glastonbury. Bucking the trend for Hunter boots – as worn by the Royal family, Angelina Jolie, Sarah Jessica Parker, and (obviously) Kate Moss – Gwyneth opted instead for Swedish brand Tretorn’s lace-up style. Ideal for ladies with skinny little legs, the tie front boot is also a subtle nod to next season’s fetish inspired footwear – who would think entertainment’s most boring couple had a kinky side?
Pete Doherty (this is the first version, which was for a different picture - I can't find the new version online so sorrrry)
Considering his missis is the arbiter of festival fashion, it’s hard to believe Pete Doherty still gets away with stumbling around VIP areas dressed like this. Grungy chic is one thing, looking like a sheepish Worzel Gummidge is quite another. We all know it gets hot at festivals, especially when wearing what appears to be a bad 70s polyester suit, but Mr Doherty is flaunting rule number one of summer style. Just because the sun’s shining, doesn’t mean it’s OK to get your gut out – and don’t think the wooden crucifixes are helping. Pete, please try harder at Glastonbury – if you decide to turn up.
Beth Ditto
The Gossip's Beth Ditto appeared postively conventional backstage at Radio One's Big Weekend earlier this year. Gone was the catsuit, covered up was the buxom body, breathing easy were the sweaty armpit. In this blue tunic top and skinny jeans, Ditto looks cute, cool, adn most importantly for any festival performer, comfy. Hell, she's even managed to coordinate her lanyard and sunglasses.
Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse and her hair are set to play three of the four main UK festivals this summer, and if her outfit from this month’s Isle of Wight festival is anything to go by, we’ll be seeing plenty of her (boom boom). The shrinking starlet seems to live in her white vest and cut off shorts these days, although the jury’s still out on which of her new looks the skimpy outift is designed to show off – is it her tiny new frame or her impressive collection of old-school sailor tattoos? Either way, it appears the newlywed singer has successfully prepared herself for festival season – that bouffant looks solid enough to last the summer.
TADA
posted by rachaelgibson at 8:36 am
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