Retro clothing under one roof at the Pavilion

(as featured in the BHbeat newspaper, 13th October)

The nationwide-famous Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair came to Bournemouth Pavilion, drawing in hundreds of shoppers on 8th October.

Formed in 2005, the fair travels to and fro across the UK, offering a marketplace of vintage fashion and homewares from the bygone days of twentieth century.

The Bournemouth Pavilion ballroom held around 40 traders selling retro clothing and accessories – some local, such as Vintage Per Sempre and What Alice Found from Pokesdown, while others came from elsewhere, such as Derby-based Princes Vintage.

Lee Bostock of Princes Vintage said: “The fair was a fun day from start to finish. It was very busy and there was a good demographic of young, old and families. Nice atmosphere too. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to come here again.”

This varied demographic of people was also noticed by founder of Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair, Judy Berger. She said: “I'll tell you what I found out about Bournemouth. We've had a very good mix of tribes today – students, twenty-something Indie kids, Steampunks, vintage enthusiasts and quite a few families. It's been very diverse.”

But although varied in age and lifestyle, it was clear to see all those attending the fair had a passion for vintage, with men, women, boys and girls perusing among the tables and clothes rails for something special.

Two of the traders looking to draw in these shoppers were Debbie Ward and Scott Blackiston, owners of vintage outlet 'Kaotichandbag', who will be opening a store on Christchurch Road, Pokesdown, later this year.

Debbie said: “We're very excited to be exhibiting here for the first time. It's a lovely vintage fair, and we want to attract as many new customers as possible."

Debbie Ward of Kaotichandbag

By the end of the day, traders and Judy Berger herself had deemed the Bournemouth fair to have been very fruitful. She said: “It's been a real success. The traders are happy and we're happy; it's been great.”