Leeds Street Style: 28/09/2010

Rosie Taylor

Dress: Urban Outfitters
Shoes:  Urban Outfitters
Bag: Primark
Belt: Vintage
Scarf: Vintage
Tights/ Socks: Topshop

Rosie's favorite Leeds clothes shop: Urban Outfitters
Describe the Leeds fashion scene in one word: Indie

Amelia Johnson

Top: Topshop
Coat: Adidas vintage
Shoes: Topshop
Bag: Gola
Hair Accessories: H&M

Amelia's favorite Leeds clothes shop: Topshop, Urban Outfitters
Describe the Leeds fashion scene in one word: Scenester

Mary Elliston

Top: Topshop
Bottom: Topshop
Shoes: Primark
Bag: Urban Outfitters

Mary's favorite Leeds clothes shop: Urban Outfitters
Describe the Leeds fashion scene in one word: Colourful

My Thoughts:

These 3 girls are my favorites this week, all of them were very friendly and nice too. Amelia's boyish look and her height makes her stand out in the crowd, and I think her worn Topshop boots look even better than if they were new. I also like how Mary uses different socks to create youthful playfulness while counter-balancing that with a boyfriend shirt. I was especially impressed by Rosie's use of accessories, her way of using a brooch on her scarf, choosing chain instead of leather belt, and ankle socks which I love just complete her girly style.

Briggate Idol

As a person who is on Briggate in Leeds almost every day, I have found that it contains more and more interesting culture and talent everyday.

I have been excited to see new and different street performers each day and for the most part they are enjoyable and talented. From the guy who sings Usher and Lionel Richie to the girl who sings Sixpence Non The Richer, this bustling street now not only is a great place to shop but also a wonderful place to grab and coffee and see some of our very own Leeds talent giving it their all and livening up our cold and rainy days. I will keep you updated with photos but for now… here are just a few of the artists I have spotted over recent weeks.

Is there anyone you have seen recently who really caught your attention?

Hand Picked By Harvey Nichols @ Swillington Organic Farm

On Monday evening we took a trip down to the lovely  Swillington Organic Farm just outside Leeds. We were invited by Harvey Nichols to sample some of the wonderful food produced at the farm, who are a supplier of the Harvey Nichols restaurant. 

It is always good to see big brands working with local businesses. We were given a quick introduction to the farm, and the meal we were about to eat, we then took our seats for a 3 course dinner. A Harvey Nichols chef prepared the Swillington Farm food, and Tadcaster's very own Sam Smith's brewery provided the refreshments, it's selection of organic ciders and ales tasted heavenly. The food was prepared and cooked outside where we were situated and was delicious. After the meal we gathered round the fire (where the pork had been roasted earlier) and enjoyed a nice coffee. 

You can also check out what Leeds grub and Guardian Leeds made of the evening.

St. Gemma's Vintage Fair

We went to St. Gemma's Vintage Fair last Sunday, and we were pleasantly surprised. 

I used to live in Barcelona, and I travel down to London regularly and what I like about these 2 cities is the variety of shopping they offer: there's always a market or fair somewhere in these cities. Leeds seems to keep it's vintage fairs and markets low-key, in fact I had not heard of many until some one told me about St. Gemma's Vintage Fair.

I was amazed by the diversity on offer, furniture, clothing, accessories, books, music and home-ware from the 1920s to 1980s. the fair is divided into different rooms with a different type of product in each, making it easy to browse. We found a great condition 1960s Calypso Smith Corona typewriter, and also a 1960s Kodak Instamatic 233 camera, both only £5 each! With great prices and good cause, St. Gemma's Vintage Fair raised thousands for the Hospice last year, and they are hoping to raise even more this year.

St. Gemma's Vintage Fair happens 3 times a year. The next Vintage Fair is 11th and 12th of December, from 10 am to 4 pm. Will I see you there? 

Cultural Conversations: Tales Of Our Cities

Last Friday I attended Cultutal Conversations: Tales of our cities at the Round Foundry, Leeds. The event was the latest in a series organised by The Culture Vulture. During the event different conversation topics are proposed and you take yourself along to which ever one takes your fancy.

The subjects range from 'Blogging without fear' to 'What to do about the council' and the forumla works very well. I often found myself wanting to attend more then one of the conversations which is a great sign. The conversations I attended were 'What to do about the council', 'Better to ask for forgiveness then permission' and a subject which I proposed: 'Retaining Leeds talent'. In each group there are people of different levels of experience, different motives, varied interests and this difference in people often creates a lively dynamic and sometimes heated exchange of views. 

One thing I found myself saying over and over in all three conversations was "Just do it". I really believe that if people are passionate about a project or idea they will find a way to at least get it off the ground and after that anything can happen. There seems to be a lot of people in the city who are feeling the same way. Projects, some at idea stage, some at 'about to go mainstream' are happening all over Leeds. I hear a lot of talk about 'lets take action' and 'so what will be the result' etc and I think people who think of things purely in that way are missing a lot of the magic happening at the moment. There is a big shift taking place right now: people are talking, collaborating, making things happen and this is happening regardless of the support of government or funding bodies. 

The conversations taking place at the moment are building relationships, trust and creating spaces to share knowledge and skills. What I also like about these events is what they allow you to learn in a negative yet still constructive way also. There are people or projects that you will not immediately love or agree with, but this is all part of the process of people connecting. Like-minded people will connect and work together and the 'results' are already there to be seen.

After the afternoons events and conversations we moved onto the 'secret social' where we enjoyed drinks, music and delicious food thanks to Fish&. All in all it was an excellent day and evening, a big "thank you" goes to Emma, Phil, Mike and everyone else who helped to make the event a success.