Maybe there's something funky in the Grahamstown water supply, or maybe it's just in the air during the National Arts festival, but whatever it is, something seems to bring out the eccentricity in all of us during Fest.
Maybe there's something funky in the Grahamstown water supply, or maybe it's just in the air during the National Arts festival, but whatever it is, something seems to bring out the eccentricity in all of us during Fest.
The clothing styles one sees during this time always somehow manage to catch your eye – whether worn by locals or visiting Festinos. A stroll through the Village Green will send your eyes on a field trip and assure sightings of various kinds of fashion – or a lack thereof.
Wherever you look, there's sure to be someone wearing something strange and interesting. The styles range from hippie and hip hop to formal or survival, not to mention performers and their extravagant outfits.
For example, one Village Green stall owner, Richard, who looks reminiscent of a Nordic nomad, sports a triple-layered top with a massive brown faux fur coat. On his head sits a leather hat that he has customised in many ways to suit current his mood, paired with old aviator goggles that he has also tailored.
His hat, that's long at the back like a hood, can even be turned around to cover his face, with holes cut in it so that he can still see. Doing another sweep of the Green, there is Thandiwe who says she is visiting Grahamstown for the Festival. She’s dressed ever so neatly in a long sleeved light blue blouse with a high-waisted skirt, giving off the feeling of a 1950s air hostess.
Also with brown leather shoes and a few eclectic accessories, Thandiwe is a prime example of the alternative or indie style. This is only a small account of the interesting outfits seen at Festival this year, not to mention the interesting hairstyles that some of the visitors show up with. Overall, performers or not, the Arts Festival really puts a spin on the creativity of Fest-goers.
