Report by Amber Carroll and Amy Satchell
Photographs by Sammi Davis (www.draytonstudios.com)
A golden afternoon of community loveliness was promised by The Rye Retreat at the Summertime Jamboree on the 5th June and that was exactly what was delivered.
It may have been a wet and windy June afternoon outside but inside Rye College it was shining with a 50s themed musical atmosphere displaying salon trends and vintage fashion looks from cult classic sci-fi to screen goddesses modelled on the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe.
The show was opened to the sounds of “Mambo Rock” and “Good Golly Miss Molly” by Cinque Ports Lindy Hoppers.
Pupils from Rye Community Primary School, dressed in white t-shirts and blue jeans, paraded down the catwalk after being treated to a make over and hair styled in a fashion to imitate James Dean/Marlon Brando. Similarly, pupils from Rye College paraded the catwalk in their Prom Styles.
There was some musical material written and performed by Georgia Moran and Eleanor Mason and Rye College Choir sung “wishing and hoping” whilst the Rye Retreat Beauty Therapists paraded “Male Trends” and “Salon Looks”
.
The Fashion Forward section was dramatic and entertaining, including costumes supplied by Udimore Garage Antiques. The Beachwear outfits were finished off with different coloured wool intricately plaited and weaved into the models hair creating a swimming cap effect ….. delightful. There were beautician wonders including the White Witch from Narnia and Bethanie Adams beautifully carried off an eye-catching pink flower facial display. Karen Crawford is the Beauty Therapist Manager.
First Time on the Catwalk
For the majority of the models it was their first experience of walking the catwalk but, despite their initial backstage nerves, they delivered themselves confidently and appeared to enjoy the experience. The Rye Retreat value the support from the local community.
Three young lads who hope to take their modelling and catwalk skills further and they certainly seem to have what it takes are Ahmed Aldoori, Joe Thomason and Liam Lyden.
The finale consisted of a catwalk of our community firefighters and rugby club which produced “wolf whistles” and “whoops” from the audience – if some of the
firefighters were tired from their lack of sleep due to attending at a fire for most of the early hours of the morning, it certainly didn’t show! Rye Rugby Club celebrates its 20th Anniversary this month.
The Rye Retreat is owned by Jenny Sperring and jointly managed by Fliss Sturgeon and Carole Beecroft. They take pride in training all their girls and boys. Nikki Ovenden is the longest member of the hairstyling staff, being there since she was taken on as an assistant. Sarah Buss attends the Academy in London and comes back in turn to pass on her skills learnt. The Rye Retreat like to put on events such as this years Summertime Jamboree to motivate and inspire their staff.
Lucy Stubbs proudly announced that she has recently been accepted by The Fellowship of British Hairdressing which selects 14 people nationwide to attend a year long course “Project X” – Lucy will be working with top stylists from Vidal Sassoon and the President of the Fellowship of British Hairdressing including being involved in photo shoots and hair shows. It was clear from the “behind the scenes” buzzing atmosphere and the performance on stage of the obvious joy and passion the staff have for their careers at The Rye Retreat.
The event, in aid of the Fireman’s Benevolent Fund was professionally organised by Lisa Fenton – she successfully produced an entertaining golden afternoon of loveliness….
“Rye’s Own” July 2011
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