The event took place on the upper floor of the Pitcher and Piano. The suits below enjoying after office snifters glanced up from time to time, confused. Sat at a table full of uni girls. Issuing from the dressing area above the doors, models walked out around the perimeter of the balcony, pausing by tables. My table had turned up in support of one of the models, but between wolf whistles and cheers (which got a small smile in return,) they maintained a heated critique of the garments flashing by. One said, "I can't believe this is all Oxfam stuff!"

The clothes were culled from the vintage stores of the Oxfam Originals shop on Bridlesmith Gate (outside the Broadmarsh escalators). One of only a handful in the country, the Originals shop specializes in high street label and vintage wares. The result is quality stock, a notion which jarred with preconceptions about what a charity shop could offer.

The clothes like the venue were trendy. How could they not be, when Hollywood starlets don BoHo chic and TopShop is pushing the 60s floral print smock? Womenswear was invariably better represented than mens. Though there were highlights between the flood of suits, including a lemon meringue coloured bomber jacket and a flash from the not so distant past...

Me: 'Ey, did you see the shell suit?"

Kez: 'Oh, y'mean the Nu Rave one?'

Me: 'New Rave? I thought it was Puma."

Mad dash for the rails after the models retreated. In addition to working with Oxfam to find pieces for the show, the organisers agreed that all the items featured should be sold off, and all profits donated back to Oxfam. Being stylish never felt so good.

Oxfam Presents Eco-Chic took place at the Pitcher and Piano on 22nd May 2007.

Photos courtesy of Sophe Yapp (c)

Oxfam Originals
 

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