Over premium lattes ( bar, one decaf latte), and cavier topped ribbon sandwiches... my fashionista girlfriends and myself.... summed up our fashionable thoughts on this 'so called, new fashion concept'.
To phrase it in one sentence with creative flare and a spritz of pomp and parfume.......... "It is not exactly what I would call a fashion lovers paradise..... more so.. a 'wish wash' of 'fashiony things'". Nothing too exciting... but nothing that drab or glab and fab either!.
My fashion taste buds were hardly tickled......... not really impressed with the 'Hard sell' attitude, many of the stall holders threw onto passers by..... ( all trying to make a fashion penny, I guess...?). The so hailed Fashion markets.. was very clearly in it's 'teething stage'... very 'fashion virgin' like... a bit too new... still yet to find their 'fashion footing'.
(A fashionista scoping what was on offer at the Fashion markets... Darling.. loving the crochet knit ensemble.. and the pinch of blood red!!!!! xoxo.) The experience was definately not comparable to the real expectations of a 'fashion market experience'. Maybe because marketing side of things was too confusing?.........The brochure, flyers posters shout out: 'sell fashion, buy fashion, swap fashion'??????. Why not just sell it as is 'fashion' @ the 'fashion markets'... common sense already tells us that we'll expect to buy, and stall holders will sell.. and as for swapping??? hmmm too cras for my liking xoxo.
Not quite sure how it would pan out for fellow fashionista's to be sporting their jimmy choo and Chloe arm candy bags.. and then swinging a "swap" bag filled with clothes that are unwanted to just barter with stall holders????????? uh uh uh... too 'un - fashionably - un-trendy'. Although a fashion swap night sounds much fresher!.. copying the 'swap my style' concept from Sydney and Melbourne.. I guess?....
For the vintage fashion lover.... definately a fashion destination to stop by..... but if you're looking for unique pieces of fashionable 'fashion pieces???", not quite sure you'll find that... just yet... maybe the organisers are finding it difficult to weed out the 'funky, trend alert.. fashionista, designista individuals..?'
Through my peepers,... there were far too many 'second hand' type treasures on offer... the odd imitation arm candies, and of course..the artsy craftsy stuff... ( bag hook holders etc..)
Not exactly a London 'Portobello' fashion destination experience... more like a 'nice day out' under a 'greenhouse' sheltering effect... ( yes, way too hot for thy liking... my lacquer may have well melted from their canvas!)
Maybe thy expectations are just too fashionably in good taste....., but I believe it wasn't an experience that I would rush too quickly to saviour again. May the fashion critic queen suggest... to the little offspring Hawkins organisers... that, the name is fab .... the marketing look? trendy come fashionable.. but the stalls.. just not living up to it.... find more upbeat young designers...... leave the 'nanny knitters, and artsy craftsy ones at home'. The event has true potential....maybe.... just maybe in a few months... there will be a fashionable turnaround! mwah xo. One of the stall holders even had the unearthly confidence to tell me, that she was going to bring in her 'nutrimetics' products to sell at her 'bag, come secondhand clothing stall!!!!... (ooopss sorry meant to say.. boutique) xo. But honey, unless you're selling 'Napoleon...' then I don't think Nutrimetics will drive the fashion forces in droves............sorry, just stating it as it is.
PS. The fash. queen was mislead with the belief I would be embracing the presence of up to 'around 70 boutiques' ( as stated on the marketing flyer)... but alas.. unless I am unable to count.. (which is highly unlikely seeing as thought I can tell you exactly how many delicious shoes I have).. my recollection.. that there was only approx 20 STALLS... ( I would not refer to them as boutiques.. sorry lovies.. but trestle tables with clothes over them and a few sturdy change rooms can not be classified as "boutiques".... besides.. nothing wrong with saying stall holders.... ( probably doesn't sound too fashionable.. I guess..?).
HUGE POTENTIAL....................STILL WAITING TO SEE IT!!! XOXO.
P.P.S.... I think the young Hawkins offspring should scout for a Fashion marketing team to help them move this concept along...........kind of like walking stylishly on a catwalk.. meow xoxo. And to all trendo, trendy designista's... Fashion Markets @ Hawkins could well be the next big physical fashion weekend destination....... if you designista's... support it of course!..
Style rating: Fashion markets @ Hawkins - Applaud ( Stylish effort)
Love me or hate me,
Madam Alexandra E.
fashion critic.fashion expert.fashion queen