FINSBURY PARK will soon be ‘cooler’ than Shoreditch or Dalston, according to the owners of a vintage pop-up shop that came to the area for the first time on Sunday.
Charlie Foxtrot Vintage, founded in Peckham by two young women – Charlie and Foxtrot – came to the Park Theatre for the first ever Finsbury Flea vintage fair.
Fur-lined winter coats, brightly coloured jumpers and accessories from the 1920s onwards were on sale, alongside a vast array of cakes, pastries and teas.
Park Theatre, which opened in May, is making the Finsbury Flea a monthly event, taking place on the second Sunday of every month. Charlie and Foxtrot have already committed for the first five months.
The pair had reasons for coming to Park Theatre in particular. They told Islington Now: “It’s a social community space, not just a theatre, which is what will make it successful in the long run.
“It’s brightly coloured and a really beautiful place with a lot of vintage furniture,” making the ultra modern theatre a far cry from buildings they have taken over previously.
“In the past we’ve taken over a dilapidated butchers’ shop. We love spaces that aren’t usually used for retail.”
While Finsbury Park may not be the first place that springs to the minds of London’s cool kids when they want to update their wardrobes, Charlie and Foxtrot believe things are changing.
“It’s not self-consciously edgy and could easily replace places like Dalston, which has been killed off by the likes of X Factor.”
Melli Bond, Park Theatre’s Creative Director, who first met Charlie and Foxtrot at their pop-up shop in Peckham, said: “We’re much more than a theatre. We aim to get people out there and doing something different – everyone can get involved.
“The best thing is that we’re helping people to meet each other. Even if someone just makes a friend from coming down to the cafe, it’s worthwhile.”
Ms Bond says the theatre aims to reflect the diversity of Finsbury Park residents in its programmes. She hopes to expand the Finsbury Flea and encourages fashion vendors to get in touch.
