The Secret Emporium by Maria Papadimitriou aka Slowly The Eggs
This year The Secret Garden Pary, which took place between the 19th and 22nd of July, had chosen for its 10th birthday celebrations the theme ‘Standing on Ceremony’. More than ever before this famously flamboyant festival encouraged all kinds of rituals, ceremonies, initiations and carnivals to be abundantly created, attended and enjoyed by the gardeners. As the charming Secret Garden Party guide from this year explained, the aim of the above, and of the Garden as a whole, was to ‘bind us together’ and ‘emphasise matter over mind’. I felt that both these aims were most certainly achieved not only by the colourful activities, but also the huge amounts of mud which challenged us, bonded us as if with gooey, brown glue and made sure that ‘matter’ took centre stage indeed…
I found myself part of this mud world because I was one of the designers taking part in the Secret Emporium. For a few years now The Secret Emporium has been sourcing independent, underground and out of the ordinary designers during the winter and taking them to festivals over the summer – as well as organising various other pop up events during the year, such as The Secret Emporium Christmas Market, featured previously in Amelia’s Magazine. The often theatrical pieces by The Secret Emporium designers are especially suited to a playful festival, like The Secret Garden Party, and it was most fun witnessing people all around being at their most willing to dress up and give in to a bit of embelishment. Below are just a few of my favorite looks and designs from The Secret Emporium festive marquee…
A wonderful shoulder piece, headband and pendant from EABurns by the very talented Lizzie Burns.
I think a few jaws dropped when the beautiful Veronique – a Secret Emporium intern – modeled this onesie by SJSSTYLE and long statement necklace by Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining.
A lovely festival look consisting of cape, bow hairpiece and bum-bag by Key Lime Pie.
Tell Tails by Maria Papadimitriou aka Slowly The Eggs
Hapuska’s headpieces were perfect for a bit of drama – and notice the cute red bows make up by In Your Dreams mentioned below!
More feathery, tribal headwear by Feathersmith.
The super lovely Camille Walala, whose colourful stall I had the pleasure of having immediately opposite me, dressed glamorously every day in her own designs.
I totally loved the forces behind The Poundshop, Sara and George, who were, like myself, recipients of one of the very generous Secret Emporium scholarships. From their greatly designed wooden kiosk on wheels they represented a host of designers via their super affordable and witty products.
This lady was very excited about just purchasing this headpiece made from found objects by Plastic Seconds – which is my jewellery line.
Elegant and sparkly one-off headpieces by Hathor.
Bang Bang Crash by Maria Papadimitriou aka Slowly The Eggs
Of course The Secret Garden Party is very clear about its desire to bring out the animal side in a Gardener so Bang Bang Crash were there to provide various animal suits…
And felted animal ear hats by JoBee Jo Creations were helping along.
In Your Dreams catered for all our ‘out there’ make up needs and were deservedly very popular.
Also very popular – both with kids and adults! – were the fabulous tails from Tell Tails.
The Merrimaking stall, as always, was full of cleverly designed and fun promoting items.
SJSSTYLE made sunglasses with all sorts of weird and wonderful additions to them!
Lucy Peacock, who is helping to run The Secret Emporium, also displayed her geometric jewellery.
I have long admired Grace du Prez’s jewellery design and at The Secret Emporium she was also my delightful neighbour.
Here is one of Grace du Prez’s hair pendants worn on a Gilbert Grotto tee!
The cockerel in me loved these head turning hoods by Fuud Hoods.
More found objects headpiece action by Leftover.
The Secret Emporium team had made these bright and colourful umbrellas to decorate the interior of their euqally bright and colourful marquee.
All photography by Maria Papadimitriou.
Categories ,BangBang Crash, ,Camille Walala, ,EABurns, ,Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining, ,Feathersmith, ,festival, ,Fuud Hoods, ,Gilbert Grotto, ,Grace Du Prez, ,Hapuska, ,Hathor, ,In Your Dreams, ,JoBee Jo Creations, ,Key Lime Pie, ,Leftover, ,Lucy Peacock Jewellery, ,Maria Papadimitriou, ,Merrimaking, ,Plastic Seconds, ,Secret Emporium, ,Secret Garden Party, ,SJSSTYLE, ,Tell Tails, ,The Poundshop, ,The Secret Emporium, ,The Secret Garden Party
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