The Alt Collective II

The Alt Collective is hosted by Devolution Magazine, and this event, held on 3rd July 2010 at the Face Bar in Reading, was the second Alt Collective, and the team hope to make it bigger and better every year. Nickie from Devolution Magazine told us that they run the event "to support amateur and professional models, makeup artists, designers, photographers, visual artists, independent publications and most of all those that truly live the lifestyle."

Over 200 people attended the event, and collectively raised almost £600 to be donated to charity. The Alt Collective has a lot of scope for expansion, and is unique in the opportunity it gives small and independent businesses to promote themselves. "The Alt Collective was a way to get everyone together in one room for a celebration of talent and passion, and an opportunity to put names to faces and be proud of who you are and what you do as well as raise cash for charity on the day."

The event was centered around the catwalk shows which featured wholesale brands alongside individual designers from around the world, and featured an entire mob of alternative models (what is the collective term for models?) They all modelled with seemingly limitless energy and enthusiasm, looking flawless long after many others had flaked from the heat! The models ensured that the catwalk shows were entertaining and interesting, holding the audience's attention with a flambouyant show of twirls, dance moves and a strong sense of characterisation dependent on the outfit they were wearing.

Sandwiched between the catwalk shows were performances from bellydancer Amber Maya McSass and burlesque performer Roxy Twirls. In addition, throughout the day, the Graffiti Kings from London were creating a mural, and the very flexible Anna-Marie Fullbrook of Berkshire Alternative Dance Studio was giving pole dancing demonstrations and lessons.