Ilkley’s very own vintage fair celebrates its eleventh event in the town with another day-long celebration of all things retro on Saturday 30 October.
The Ilkley Vintage Fair has run twice a year at Ilkley Playhouse since April 2015 but organisers had to postpone both events in 2020 and the planned fair in April this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a welcome return to the town’s social calendar, the doors of the Weston Road venue will open at 10am to allow vintage shoppers the chance to explore a host of stalls stocking vintage clothing, homeware, kitchenware, furniture, toys, vinyl, and many more retro items spanning the decades between the 1920s and 1980s.
Jill Coulson of Burley-in-Wharfedale based vintage firm Alfie Robot Retro runs the fair and is excited to be making a return to the Playhouse. “It will have been two years since the last fair at the Playhouse so we’re all looking forward to the next event after a tough time for everyone during the pandemic,” she says. “We’ll have measures in place, such as a one-way system and additional ventilation, to make sure it is as safe and enjoyable for everyone as possible.”
She puts the appeal of vintage down to a number of factors. “When you buy vintage, you are tapping into a history and a story. You get hold of something that isn’t in every other wardrobe, kitchen or living room in the country nowadays,” says Jill, “Whether it is a Mary Quant dress, a Hornsea Pottery coffee jar, an Ercol table or anything else, there’s always something exciting to discover. Some of the other attractions of vintage are the fact that there are items to suit all budgets and it is a real antidote to our disposable society. Vintage is a sustainable way to reuse or recycle the classic designs of the past.”
There will be the usual mix of top vintage traders from across the north of England. This includes Julia Lewtas from Funky Fusion Interiors, who will be making her debut in Ilkley. Julia is known for skilfully reconditioning wood, selling items such as framed vintage pictures, ornate boxes, and small furniture. For those looking to add to their wardrobes, there will be a women’s and men’s fashion available from sellers such as Cara Rotherforth from Cupcake Couture, who will bring her selection of one-off unique pieces and homemade vintage-inspired clothing
Ilkley Vintage Fair takes place at Ilkley Playhouse on Saturday 30 October. Doors are open from 10am until 4pm and entry is £1 per person (under 16s are free).
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