Emma J ShipleyThis year, Emma designed the official artwork for Port Eliot Festival - a celebration of art, fashion, literature, music and ideas, all set in a beautiful estate in St Germans, Cornwall. The festival took place last week, and Emma headed to the south west to attend the festival and take part in the Wardrobe Department, a tent bursting with fashionable offerings from the likes of Simone Rocha, Stephen Jones and Barbara Hulanicki. Writer and fashion royalty, Suzy Menkes hosted talks alongside Sarah Mower from the British Fashion Council, whilst Stephen Jones and Piers Atkinson fashioned headwear.
Emma joined the fashion team and hundreds of eager budding designers (of all ages) who turned their hands to scarf design; creating custom-made bandanas using coloured fabric pens, Emma's moodboards as inspiration and their own creative streak! The result was three days of colourful design fun in the Wardrobe Department, and a whole host of bespoke bandanas to be taken home as Port Eliot souvenirs.
Fortnum and Mason took up their residency in The Orangery, providing delicious refreshments to weary festival goers and luxury picnic hampers, perfect for enjoying the boiling sun that graced the skies of St Germans all weekend. Their 'Tea Tuk' was on hand all weekend in the camping area, keeping visitors happy with freshly brewed Fortnum & Mason teas and coffees.
The festival played host to a number of interesting and inspiring talks including Sarah Mower in conversation with fashion designer Simone Rocha, and 'The Creative Life' discussion with award-winning costumer designer, Sandy Powell and author/illustrator Brian Selznick. Emma also caught up with blogger Susie Bubble, who was also enjoying a weekend at Port Eliot taking part in its rich mix of offerings. Read her review of the festival here.
The glorious grounds of Port Eliot meant that early morning yoga sessions overlooking the viaduct, flower arranging and foraging were all available for whoever was interested. Back in the Wardrobe Department, Piers Atkinson ran Haughty Couture, where he collected flowers and foliage from the surrounding nature and created a whole array of dramatic headpieces. The Garden Gate Flower Company also provided floral millinery, with their beautiful array of flowers all grown in Cornwall.
Images courtesy of Style Bubble
Flowers and fashion were accompanied by musical highlights from the likes of Gruff Rhys and Cate Le Bon who took to the Caught by the River stage on Friday night.
All in all, the weekend was a sun-filled celebration of some of the most interesting and eccentric names from the arts and fashion, set against the imposing backdrop of the grand Port Eliot house. The chance to run a workshop in the Wardrobe Department and meet so many curious and creative individuals was one we'll never forget! Roll on next year...
Image courtesy of Style Bubble
