A guide to festival fashion with The Fashpack

Joh Rindom is no stranger to Bristol’s festival fashion scene. Alongside managing her influential Stokes Croft shop That Thing, during the summer months she runs The Fashpack, a collective of designers, makers and creatives that offer independent designers a chance to join them and dress the festival masses.

“The Fashpack was born in 2009 from a need to showcase the creative fashion industry in Bristol,” says Joh. “Initially we hosted markets, fashion shows and pop-ups but soon became a festival business and first took the set-up to Shambala Festival in 2011.

Inside The Fashpack Tent at Love Saves The Day 2018

Festival fashion brand Kuccia are Fashpack regulars

“The core aim is to provide an affordable marketplace, giving up-and-coming independent designers a pitch at some of the best boutique festivals. This always includes our face painting and bio-degradable glitter stall that The Fashpack has become so famous for. We tailor each set-up to the festival, with between two and 20 traders.“

It’s evident that festival style has become more prominent, moving on from the grunge and day-glo raver styles of the early noughties to boho babes in Ugg boots, denim shorts and flower crowns. More contemporary festival fashionistas embrace carnival vibes and have been mashing this style up with current trends and previous festival inspirations ever since to mix colourful lycra, feather headdresses, body paint, boho tassels and glam-rock rave. It’s a melting pot of styles that is fun, colourful, sparkly and often outrageous.

Festival fashion has really taken off with the likes of Burnt Soul now selling in Topshop. It’s brilliant for independent designers but does this mean festival fashion is becoming more mainstream?  “I think it’s really interesting,” replies Joh. “It tells us that independent designers really are in charge when it comes to creative festival fashion. I think it’s so important to buy ‘the real deal’ every time and not the mass-produced knock-off copies to save a few quid.

Bristol festival fashion influencers Burnt Soul break through to the high street

Influencers Rosa Bloom (left) and L.O.M (right) are really setting the festival fashion trends this season

“We are lucky to have such a great interest in expressing ourselves through what we wear and can be proud of having so many celebrated festival-specific brands such as Rosa Bloom and L.O.M who have really set the trends. I predict we will see a massive shift towards more ethical and sustainable wares and this is certainly where independents have one-upped the high street. Using bio-degradable glitter alone is really telling; it will be interesting to see where the more ethical way of thinking will take us.”

Rainbow wear is this years top trend – rainbow catsuit by L.O.M (left) and rainbow fashion at Love Saves The Day festival (right)

So what is Joh expecting to see on the festival circuit this year? “There’s a hot trend for rainbow wear – leotards, eyeshadow, lips, bodycon dresses and headdresses,” she reveals. “It’s a bold look and it’s not for everyone, but even small elements can be a strong addition to an otherwise everyday outfit.  And more really is more! Layering sheer pearlescent fabrics, mesh, sequins, holographic textures and glitter is also a big look this summer.“

The Fashpack will be attending many festivals this summer, including Shambala – Joh’s favourite. “Shambala is an absolute winner for me. It has the exact right mix of creativity and celebration, it’s bonkers, inclusive and has a great family feel. The music is eclectic but always good and you can go and explore endlessly day and night.

“For all-night dancing and theatricality I’d recommend Boomtown, and for a bit of R&R and a slightly more grown-up festival feel, Port Eliot Festival in Cornwall or Wilderness in Oxfordshire are top when it comes to festival fashion.

Pearlescent sequins and holographic textures are a big look from Kuccia this summer.

“The ultimate expression is to make your outfit yourself. Get together with mates and come up with outfit ideas in advance. If something doesn’t work, then alter it and keep at it. Don’t copy other people’s designs but be inspired. It’s also important to support independent designers and be part of the movement. Be innovative and free: mixing it up and expressing yourself is all part of the fun of going to a festival!”

Catch The Fashpack at Bestival, Shambala, The Downs Festival and Tokyo World this festival season.

Find out more by visiting The Fashpack

Read our Fashion Editor Emma’s blog: No Debutante