Fashion / Bzzaar
Creating a fashion Bzzaar
There’s a new wave of fashionistas and local creatives coming together in Bristol for an exciting new project. Beth Izzard, a colourful and fun-loving young entrepreneur has created a community for like-minded creatives and collectors, who come together and share the Bristol love of collaboration, creativity and sustainability at her popular Bzzaar Jumble events and pop-up shops.
Beth found herself roaming about on Sunday afternoons wishing the charity shops were open and pondering why there were not more car boot sales in Bristol, and what had actually happened to a good old jumble sale. Everybody loves a bargain, especially in these hard times, and that’s how the Bzzaarr Jumble was born.
“I realised there wasn’t really anywhere to sell clothes in Bristol, things that are cheap. You go to some of the vintage shops but a lot of the garments are really expensive – I was more looking to buy something for a few quid. So, I decided to start my own pop-ups,” says Beth.
is needed now More than ever
Beth Izzard, founder of Bzzaar Jumble
The events started as Sunday Funday Bonanzas and went on to pop-up shops, Bzzaarr Jumbles and vinyl markets, selling pre-loved bargains including garments and old vinyl. The events also showcase the local creative talents of artists, designers, illustrators and DJs, who united with collectors and clothes hoarders alike, in a melting pot of collaborations.
“Bristol fashion is the best, everyone is just different,” Beth continues. “I don’t feel like I dress like anyone, even with my best mates. We all bounce off each other and we all love it – everyone is so overly nice about what everyone wears, and everyone’s really encompassing about it rather than saying ‘that’s weird’.
“Back home in Hampshire, people would say, ‘That’s a weird outfit’, or ‘My gosh, you’ve got orange hair’,” Beth laughs.
Pre-loved garments on display
The Bzzaar pop up celebrated it’s first birthday in January 2018 with a jumble event that invited fashion lovers and collectors to come together for buying and selling pre-loved clothes during a day event at The Crofters Rights.
Stall holders at the Bzzaar Jumble at The Crofter Rights
The space was filled from every possible hook, picture rail and shelf, with everything from vintage garms, retro sportswear, faux-fur jackets, handmade pieces, sparkly garms, nearly-new shoes, bags, costume jewellery and hats. Each seller had a rail and a table to,p and decorated their space with their pre-loved collections, displayed with twinkling fairy lights. There were garments from so may eras from 1950s dresses to 80s sportswear, vintage scarves and handmade contemporary pieces. It was a veritable fashion-lover’s paradise.
Pre-loved clothing displays at the Bzzaar Jumble in January 2018
“This was the fourth Bristol jumble, and I have done other events and a festival jumble,” Beth said. “We attract a hub of people who all dress quite similarly and have similar vibes, and everyone’s picked up on that. It’s quite trendy, something a bit different, and you don’t find peoples rubbish – it’s actually things that you want to buy, which is really good”.
The Crofter’s Rights was stuffed to the brim with clothing during the event
At the event, every single seller was friendly, offering fun stories of where the fashion items had been found originally, with lots of clothes swapping going on too. Many of the sellers were not just in it to make lots of money, it was more about creating a community and making new friends and contacts. As the Bzzaar Jumble came to an end, many donated their remaining garments to the Salvation Army charity shop across the road. There really was a feeling of community, and that something good and positive was happening.
Happy shoppers and sellers at Bzzaar Jumble
“I have worked with Beth on some other projects, including pop-up shops”, says local creative and jumble seller Jemma Burnsnell. “I actually met Beth when I was working in a charity shop, and she loves clothes and this is all about clothes! People with too many clothes!” I’ve probably bought more than I’ve made, which happens every time but is totally part of the fun!”
Piles of pre-loved garments for sale at the Bzzaar Jumble
The Bzzaar Jumble is a local event shared through social media and word of mouth. Many of the sellers come alone, knowing nobody but wanting to get involved with this unique community whilst making a bit of money.
“I came along because I wanted to sell my pre-loved clothes,” said Nicola, a Bzzaar newbie seller, who had been waiting for an event like this to return to Bristol. “Bzzaar is a nice friendly little place with good vibes, music and people. I’d definitely do this jumble again, I used to do the Start the Bus market which is sadly shut now, so it’s good to be back selling again”.
To find out more about selling at the Bzzaar Jumbles sales or vinyl markets (from £5), and to find out the dates of future events, visit www.facebook.com/bzzaarbristol. The next jumble sale takes place on April 28 at The Crofter’s Rights.
Read our Fashion Editor Emma’s blog No Debutante
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