Fabulous Frock Up Friday is Back!
Between 1 and 3 September Frock Up Friday is returning to Hastings & St Leonards for a third year. THE FROCK UP FRIDAY TEAM promise beautiful fashion and a fantastic, weekend-long programme of events and activities.
Frock Up Friday was originally conceived by Susan Simms and Bevali Francis in 2020 as a way to ease the pain of COVID lockdown. But we’ve moved way beyond our original purpose.
A small group of women dressing up for fun quickly evolved into a global phenomenon with over 15,000 members from across the world, from all genders and many walks of life, sharing their stories and supporting each other along the way.
In a world filled with angst, the success of FUF is a wonderful testament to the transformative power of friendship, fashion, love and fun. We became famous for creating one of the world’s most positive, egalitarian and inclusive online communities, and the festival is the biggest event on our calendar – the living embodiment of what we’re all about.
The festival combines a truly international appeal with a staunchly local flavour. We have frockers travelling from all over Great Britain, from the US, even from Australia, to be with us; but we are hugely proud of our geographical origin of Hastings & St Leonards. Hastings has enjoyed a cultural resurgence in recent years; through the festival, we are committed to supporting local businesses and artists and further improving the profile of the area and the wonderful people who live here.
Everyone, whether they’re a member of the Facebook group or not, is welcome to buy a ticket and come as they are, to shine as themselves and to make friends in the safety of a truly affirming, positive event. Entertainment highlights include our brilliant Friday night Cabaret, including burlesque, comedy, drag, opera and much more.
Saturday will begin with a colourful parade through the centre of town beginning at The Albion from 11.30am, and this year we invite the people of Hastings to dress up, join in and take their place on the Catwalk which will be outside Owens.
A wonderful vintage clothing market will be open at the Observer building on Saturday 11am to 4pm where there will be live music and entrance is free. The highlight of the weekend will be Saturday night’s Grand Ball. It will be full of surprises and a great opportunity to walk the red carpet and be a superstar for the night, let’s just say it’s Hollywood themed with a little Bollywood and Dollywood … shh. Then on Sunday, we invite you all to join us for a Sparkle Swim in our beautiful sea in your beautiful outfits!
Our mission is to change lives by breaking down social barriers and build a worldwide inclusive community. We do this by building confidence in people by promoting shared compassion and dressing for dopamine. Come and join us!
Details of the Festival programme and tickets are available on our website frockupfriday.com.
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