Japan fashion meets 19th century elegance at south Warwickshire festival
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Japanique, taking place at the Pump Room in Leamington tomorrow (Saturday) and at Stoneleigh Abbey on Sunday, has been put together by Kenilworth television worker Francesco Calvano and Keren Oliphant and Kazuki Takuhara - who have travelled to Japan to absorb inflences from the Japanese fashion label Lolita in preparation for the event.
Francesco, who describes the two days as a “Japanese street-fashion festival with a unique ‘Mr Selfridge’-style shopping experience”, said he organised it to celebrate the bicentenary of Jane Austen’s Pride And Prejudice, which fits in with Lolita’s 19th century-inspired designs, giving a contemporary edge to period drama costumes.
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Hide AdThe Pump Room will be transformed into an Edwardian department store for a day, while Andrew Davies, scripwriter of the period drama Mr Selfridge, is making an appearance at Stoneleigh Abbey - where Jane Austen reputedly gained the inspiration to write Northanger Abbey during a visit.
As well as fashion showcases, there will Japanese plants and flowers, music and horse-drawn carriage rides.
The events take place from 11am to 10.30pm tomorrow and from 11am to 6pm on Sunday. Visit japaniqueevent.blogspot.com or find ‘Japanique’ on Facebook.