VINTAGE REVIVAL
A shared passion for vintage and a chance comment was all it took for Victoria Benn and Claire Walton to launch a series of vintage fairs which are going from strength to strength
Vintage is most definitely in. It’s green, it’s sustainable, the music is cool, the dresses are fabulous and – most importantly – it’s fun. Over the last 10 years a myriad of vintage shops and swing dance nights have sprung up in towns all over the region, and vintage fairs and events from 1940s re-enactment weekends to all out vintage shopping events have taken off on a grand scale.
Victoria Benn and Claire Walton started off pretty humbly with an initial event hosted at Hebden Bridge Town Hall, just over a year ago. The enthusiasm and feedback for the event were electric, and buoyed by the reactions they received on the day and via social media, it swiftly prompted them to expand.
Claire and Victoria initially met through Victoria’s youngest brother. Claire and he started dating, and the girls got on well – sharing a love of, in particular, vintage glass, ceramics and furniture.
“I love the stylish curves, iconic design and bold colours of the mid-century pieces, and Claire who grew up in the shadow of her dad’s salvage and reclamation yard, just pretty much loves recycling anything – and very cleverly and creatively I might add!” says Victoria.
About a year into their friendship, a chance comment from Claire, who suggested organising a vintage event, was all it took to get Victoria thinking and inspired.
Their first fair was hosted at Hebden Bridge Town Hall, a town without a fair but with a burgeoning creative and ‘green’ scene. From the off the girls were keen for the fair to have more than just vintage stalls – albeit wonderful ones – for people to look round. Now, as they work towards their third fair at Hebden Bridge on 12th and 13th May, their resident vocalist, The Fabulous Miss G, is very much back by popular demand. Her sunny smile, sparkling personality and rich mezzo soprano makes for an impeccable performance, elevating the experience from mere fair to fabulous vintage event – especially when coupled with a vintage cocktail or two!
As their portfolio of fairs has grown, so has the desire to keep them fresh and current, and since one of the fastest growing aspects of the vintage scene right now is swing dancing, the duo have worked hard to incorporate a taste of this captivating style of dance. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of getting up close to the glamour and energy of Strictly, then The Swing Kids, who are now going to be a regular feature, will not disappoint. During the swing era of the 1920s, 30s and 40s there were hundreds of styles of swing dancing, which The Swing Kids showcase to jaw-dropping perfection!
