4 ways to tap into the festival market this summer

Festival season is upon us, and, being from the Isle of Wight, I couldn’t possibly continue without mentioning the fabulous Isle of Wight Festival (in a week’s time) or Bestival (held in September).

I’ve spent some years working on festivals in some shape or form – and, of course we’ve already established I’m not the trendiest 30-something on the block, but I’ve always secretly desired to be one of the beautiful festival people! Alas, I would try and emulate the tousled hippie-chick Janis Joplin look, only to end up looking a bit like a chubby afghan hound in cowboy boots…

…I digress.

There’s most certainly a festival style, and it really doesn’t change much over the years – echoes of the original 70’s halcyon festival days still exist, and for the next week or two, we here will see more than our share of silk printed kaftans and peace beads on our Island shores! But, if you’re making jewellery to sell, this is the time to tap into that market! The style of ’Festival’ is to be original and many ‘festivalites’ will be looking for something a little bit different to stand out from the massive crowds!

I don’t think long necklaces will ever be taken off the festival favourite accessory list, but remember colour trends for this Summer – a twist on the traditional; instead of natural and muted tones, use tropical colours…hot pinks and oranges together for example…

More ideas:

Hats: Hats are always popular at festivals, they protect from 15 hours in the sun and/or rain, and people attach almost anything to them! How about designing a hat treat? Feathers, beads…sequins…crystals…they’re all fair game!

Sunglasses: The bain of my festival life…as soon as I buy a pair, I lose them, or drop them and they get crushed, or they get whipped off my face by a particularly excited-to-be-seeing-the-Foo-Fighters fan (well, that happened once!) As the sun goes down, the sunglasses come off, and where do you keep your sunnies when all you’re wearing is denim hotpants and wellies? A bedazzled necklace designed to hang your glasses on, that’s what! (you may mock me, but I’m willing to bet the humble glasses chain will emerge from Grandma Nellie’s Jewellery box to the beautiful festival people soon…and anyway, why not start a trend?!)

Head bands: No, don’t think of the late Heather from Eastenders (God rest her soul!). We’re talking beady-chained, fabric, bejewelled or feathered. Headbands are great at festies, they do a wonderful job of taming the great unwashed weekend hair, whilst adding a bit of sparkle to boot)

For that weekend, many who attend festivals leave their normal selves behind. They’ve saved their pennies for months, the tent is packed, they’ve got their festival survival plan printed and laminated (or that might just be me and my inner geek!), and their festival persona reveals itself; anything goes – and the more original, the better!

Cora Wade (come and see me on Facebook)