Lou Lou’s award winning vintage fair hit City Hall this weekend.The entry fee was reasonably priced at just £2 for what is now regarded as the UK’s largest vintage fair. The fair featured dozens of kiosks of artisan jewellery, fascinator hats, vintage clothing, cushions, ornaments, porcelain, posters and prints and took place on Sunday 16 October. It lasted from 10am until 4pm.
Among the highlights at this vintage event was a fabulous pop up tea room run by Birmingham based Lil’s Parlour. Guests were able to enjoy a spot of tea, coffee or hot chocolate, served up in old fashioned porcelain china cups with floral motifs.
Some of Lil’s other delights included peanut butter jellycake, gluten free chocolate cake, cookies and cream cheese-cake and the Bakewell tart, all sold for between £2 and £4. Most of the cakes are ‘shaken up’ versions of recipes originating from pre war journals according to Lil’s.
The fair was well attended with visitors from all age groups eager to browse through racks of vintage inspired dresses, jackets, hats and shoes.
David Crawford, 39, an online retailer and participant was busy arranging denim jackets and said, “Vintage clothing generally is timeless clothing but the sort of stuff that is popular now is more second hand.”
A pop up parlour was another original feature of the event. Visitors could choose to have their hair styled or have a vintage make over for just £20. The beautician on duty at the parlour whilst curling hair for a satisfied looking client encouraged others to have a coiffure as well.
As the event continued to entertain guests with popular 50s tunes belted out by the close-harmony duo Gentlemen Prefer Blondes , we took to the streets to find out what Cardiff folk really think about vintage clothing. Is it regarded as timeless classics or just hand me downs?