Thurs 28th March: Easter Bonnet Parade Party at The Sanderson

I'm all about having fun within the realm of fashion and making it an enjoyable, accessible medium.  I love the London heritage of pageants from the past such as Andrew Logan's Alternative Miss World (currently exhibited in the TATE Modern) which define a moment in time with the contestants from the arts community.  I wanted to resurrect* the tradition and bring together all of my friends for a party in this vein and also open it up to the public to join in the experience.  It was absolutely hilarious with Jonny Woo as the perfect and professional compere, narrating the "walk off" to make the contestants feel at ease and celebrated for their had work.  The judging panel comprised of Vogue's Emma Elwick-Bates, LOVE's Alex Fury and freelance stylists Margaret Crow and Kim Howells who voted Piers Atkinson was the stand out winner.   The attention to detail in his faux-Vuitton pastiche outfit which must have taken so long to make was modelled to full effect by the milliner himself sashaying and posing like an original Vogue ball!  A very close runner up were Tatty Devine who constructed an exquisite double fried egg bonnet with matching dresses for the models.  I was blown away with the effort everyone went to, considering it was the first competition with no barometer of expectation............. I would love to be able to make this party at the Sanderson Hotel an annual highlight in the fashion calender!!!  

*Easter pun intended

All imagery collated from participants individual sources:

(Top to bottom:  My records for dj'n, Jonny Woo wearing Alex Noble Couture,  PARTIMI SS13 Pelican by Lizzie Mcquade, Precious Metal a.k.a Piers Atkinson & Philip Dunn, Precious Metal & Tatty Devine, Tatty Devine's models and designer Harriet Vine, Ellie Jauncey & Anna Day from Flower Appreciation Society en route, Hannah Kane for Phoenix Magazine, Katherine Ferdinand, Rosy Nicholas & Keely Hunter, Antipodium, my Sombrero!) 
Films:  Margot Bowman making her triple ear bonnet and Jonny Woo demonstrating how to walk the runway in The Sanderson open courtyard garden. http://www.lizziemcquade.co.uk/