I’m pretty sure this is a one-off item, a waistcoat made from Wild Fruit flyers, surely?! Not the flyers printed onto fabric, no no no, the front half of the waistcoat is made of the actual flyers themselves. Unusual? Definitely. Recycling at its most stylish you might say… or you might not.
Either way, if you’re here to find out the background behind this exotic garment, I’m afraid you’re going to be a little disappointed. I can’t tell you much, except that I bought it in the Sussex Beacon charity shop on St James’s Street in Brighton. I think I paid £4 or maybe even £6 for this exquisite addition to anyone’s wardrobe.
Judging by the creases it has been worn a number of times, perhaps to Wild Fruit itself. Surely that would have got you in at a discount, if not for free.
Wild Fruit
For those unfamiliar, Wild Fruit was a Paul Kemp club night that became a Brighton institution: held in Brighton’s biggest club venues, starring DJs with big names to match, go-go boys, girls and more; plus star PAs and elaborate themed decorations. More about that another time.
The theme night being advertised on the flyers in this instance was Sleaze: Rough boys and sleazy drag. You didn’t have to dress up, but lots of people did, it was definitely somewhere to be seen at.
The flyers are dated Monday 5th February 1996. Maybe it was made into a Valentine’s Day gift. Maybe it came with matching hot pants. Maybe that would be scratchy. As you can see I have nothing further to tell you about this item… except it can be seen in Brighton Museum and Art Gallery as part of the Queer The Pier exhibition. Go and wonder…
