The Guildhall in York was buzzing with anticipation and excitement on the evening of Wednesday 26 October. The stage was set and the big lights shone as Sinatra-style singer Moray Innes entertained the 200-strong audience at the sold-out show.
Guests were thrilled to see the vintage outfits really come alive on the catwalk, with models from The House of Avalon vintage shop and social enterprise. Established in 2010, The House of Avalon provides volunteering and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities and other support needs and is a part of The Avalon Group social care charity.
The outfits on show included a range of authentic vintage fashion from the 1920s to the 1960s, sourced from the UK and USA. All items were available to purchase after the show, along with vintage accessories, and crafts by The Avalon Group’s community arts project Buttons and Bows from Wakefield.
CEO of The Avalon Group, Angelena Fixter, said: “This is an important event for us. It is fantastic to feel the buzz and see so many people here. The show supports the aims of The Avalon Group, raises awareness of our work as well as showcasing a fabulous vintage collection. It brings social enterprise to the general public. So thanks to everyone involved and to the Big Lottery Fund for supporting us.”
Jessica was one of 15 models at the show and volunteers at The House of Avalon. She had been ill with ME for several years, and loved the shop and vintage clothes. When she saw an advert for volunteering she thought it was perfect for her, as she values voluntary work and fashion. Jessica said: “Everyone is very friendly and welcoming. I love it.”
Ann and Sophie heard about the shop when a friend volunteered there. Ann says she loves antiques and now also volunteers at the shop. Ann was modelling a yellow floral dress from a dress company in Mayfair. She said: “It is a really good experience to try on the vintage clothes.”
Sam also works at the shop and is supported here in her employment. She says the customers are friendly and she has learnt new skills. She loved her first experience of modelling: “You could feel the energy. I held on to my dress, and posed with my hand on my hip, it was really good.”
Diane is semi-retired and got involved when she went to The House of Avalon for a coffee and started talking to Andrea (aka Grace), Manager of the shop. She had been thinking about volunteering in a caring profession. And this seemed perfect.
Like many of the models, Freddie’s hair was styled in a 1940s Victory Roll. She modelled a 1940s day dress of duck egg blue fabric, shot with gold and silver thread, and with bow detail on each shoulder. She first came to The House of Avalon on work experience from school and now volunteers. She says she has learnt more about social enterprise and has gained confidence.
Gabriella is an English Language undergraduate from York University who likes fashion. She wanted volunteer work that could help her with her future career as a Speech and Language Therapist, so The House of Avalon seemed ideal. On the night of the show she was a dresser for Emma, who also works and is supported in her employment at the shop. (Read a preview of the show with Emma, here.)
Dorothy also modelled at the show and is a regular customer at the shop who “likes to drink a lot of tea and eat a lot of cake”. She loves the vintage fashion and movies, which she describes as “unique and comforting”. For Dorothy, The House of Avalon is “a nice place to get away from things”, and the fashion show was a “brilliant chance to be able to help” the social enterprise. On the night of the show, she was nervous at first, but found the audience to be really receptive and encouraging.
For two members of the audience, Chris and Stanley Sandig, the show was a very special and emotional experience, as Stanley's mother Sadie's wedding dress was modelled at the show. Sadie married Archie Sandig in 1942 in South Africa. For her special day, Sadie wore an unusual and beautiful gold dress, with a train, handmade buttons down the back (bearing a resemblance to Kate Middleton’s dress) and piping detail on the bodice.
Linney was one of The House of Avalon’s first customers, and already had many treasured items bought from the shop, including a 1950s ceramic brooch and a 1930s faux Astrakhan fur mink collar coat, which she wore to the show. She loves the tea room and the movies, and thinks the employees are “lovely”. She really enjoyed the show and thinks the fact that the clothes are unique and “not on the high street” makes them very special.
Andrea Simpson, manager of The House of Avalon, said ‘a big thank you to all those who volunteered to help out at The Vintage Fashion Show last Wednesday. The evening was a great success, and the help of all staff and volunteers was very much appreciated’.
Overall, the show was a huge success and everyone who attended had a wonderful time!
Say ‘hello’ to The House of Avalon on Twitter @HouseofAvalon.
See photos of the show. Thanks to Ally @ Big Lottery and http://www.tmoose.co.uk/ for these!
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