Because this year’s edition of Port Eliot Festival has more fashion treats than any before.
Where else would you be able to walk under a 300-year-old tree, enjoy a performance by Stanley Tucci and polish up your culinary skills, all while dressed in an Ashish sequinned gown? Port Eliot is the place to be and MATCHESFASHION’s Buying Director Natalie Kingham knows it. As part of the festival’s Wardrobe Department, the seminal e-tailer is joining Sarah Mower of Vogue and British Fashion Council in curating the talent included in this years style and craft workshops, talks and exclusive collection previews. The 2017 fashion line-up includes the likes of Zandra Rhodes, Ashish, Stephen Jones, Giles, Molly Goddard, Richard Quinn, Rottingdean Bazaar and Conner Ives.
As we’re counting down the days to this weekend and the kick-off to the most fashionable festival out there, Kingham herself told us about what she’s most excited about: “I will be in conversation discussing emerging talent and we will also be bringing the world of Zandra Rhodes to life in her very own Zandra Land festival tent.” Come this Thursday, and you will find us running through the green Yorkshire fields with some Stephen Jones feathered fascinators bobbling on our heads.
In order to get our minds into the right mood, we asked Natalie Kingham to choose six pieces from Port Eliot designers we should be loading our backpacks with for this weekend.
Kilometre Paris La Seine-embroidered vintage linen shirt dress (£2,400)
“Both chic and relaxed at the same time, the Kilometre Paris linen shirt-dresses are ideal summer pieces.”
Zandra Rhodes printed kaftan (from £1,615)
“For that ultimate glam festival look, Zandra Rhodes summer kaftans are the perfect go-to.”
Ashish rainbow-striped sequined maxi dress (£2,495)
“Ashish’s full-length sequin rainbow dress is an essential - team with wellies to complete the look”.
Mary Katrantzou Rook dragon-print silk shorts (£595) and top (£950)
“Mary Katrantzou’s blue pyjamas are a great colour and I love the dragon print.”
Hillier Bartley bunny leather and suede clutch (£550)
“Hillier Bartley’s bunny clutch is the perfect bag for your essentials when exploring the festival.”
The Port Eliot Festival is on from 27 to 30 July at Port Eliot, St. Germans, Cornwall. Get tickets and find out more information at porteliotfestival.com.