By Lara Glaister
This past weekend, campers convoyed to the first ever Escape to New York Festival in Southampton, New York. Founder Freddie Fellowes, of the infamous British Secret Garden Party, set the tone by premiering this stateside soiree in a Shinnecock Indian Reservation filled with live music, DJs, art installations, experimental theatre, amazing food catered by Silkstone, and even “glamping,” AKA glamorous camping, with bell boys, massages, and a 24-hour concierge service. Although the fête had to be shutdown a day early due to vast volumes of rain, the downpour didn’t stop 14 bands from performing, including Patti Smith, Ed Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Chairlift and Best Coast.
Our fashionable vixen friends, Laetitia Stanfield of ROARKE New York, and Joey Wolffer of The Styleliner, parked Joey’s recreational-vehicle-turned-traveling-boutique at Escape to New York to keep the frolicking fans looking chic. We picked up on some trends to remedy any fashion festival faux-pas.
The first festival was thought to take place in 582 BCE at the Pythian Games in Ancient Greece. Flash forward to the 1960s, and such celebrations became fashionable again, á la Woodstock. Take a cue from revelers of yore: any proper festival outfit should convey a sense of freedom and bacchanalia, so channel your inner Greek goddess/hippie. Think loose Grecian-esque garb—crocheted tops with cut-offs, and timeless Athena-inspired leather sandals. Accessorize with pieces that recall nature and primitive man, such as feathers and face paint. Shield the sun (that’s Helios to all you Greeks out there) with some retro shades and voilà, you’re ready to dance with the power of the flower child.
Next up… Burning Man.
