WHITBY GOTHIC WEEKEND 2009: PRETTY GOTH GIRL PHOTOS, VICTORIAN MOURNING CLOTHING, STEAMPUNK & FETISH FASHION AT UK FESTIVAL.
Remember my lovely friend Zoe from the Mad Hatter Tea Party and Wizard of the Opera outing? When I saw her photos from October’s Whitby Gothic Weekend, I had to ask her for a report — you can tell she had the time of her life! Better late than never, right? So here we go.
Whitby Gothic Weekend is a twice-a-year Goth extravaganza in Whitby, North Yorkshire. The cobbled streets turn into a gridlock of black clothing — it’s like travelling back in time to sooty England!
The Abbey’s ruins are a favorite spot for phototaking. Whitby’s ocean and mountain views are breathtaking.
Zoe says: “The best car in the world (that I’m naming the ‘Sir William Welles Mobile’) was parked outside our hotel- awesome! I wish it was my car SO badly!” She also visited a cool custom car show; love the Wallace and Gromit (top left) and the Pink Panther (bottom right).
Zoe has been to Whitby numerous times. Did anything surprise her? “I discovered that the house Lewis Caroll stayed at is now a tea shop — how appropriate! Also, the Japanese band Psydoll were playing at one of the fringe events. It was a huge surprise to bump into Nekoi-san in a small Yorkshire fishing village!”
Left: glorious La Vey corsets and Cruella de Ville hair. Right: Watchmen fetish cosplayers!
What did Zoe think of the fashion? “Fantastic as always! Steampunk seems to be the big thing in UK Goth fashion right now, and it’s currently my favourite trend. At Whitby there were so many creative outfits with handmade accessories and it was nice to see some colour variation too. Thomas of Brute Force Leather and Amanda AKA Professor Maelstromme were my absolute favourite couple: Amanda wore a fantastic custom-made dress uniform jacket and corset with a pith helmet — fantastic!”
Any tips for travellers? “I would advise potential festival-goers to book their accommodation early. I book around March for the October event so that I get my usual room at my favourite guest house overlooking the sea. It is a brilliant weekend even if you don’t fancy the bands that play at the main festival event. There is always great shopping and the atmospheric Abbey and town to look around.”
Have you been to Whitby Gothic Weekend? What do you think of the event? I’ve never been… augh, one day!
Song of the Day #266: Cabaret Voltaire – I Want You (1980s synthpop week continues with a spooky track…)
This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 at 13:32 and is filed under Fashion, Nightcrawling. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
December 22nd, 2009 at 22:38
Lyris says:Hahahaha, wow when I saw the title in my RSS feed i was like “What?!?!” because I actually live in another Whitby… although its in Ontario and I don't believe we have a gothic weekend, unfortunately! >.<
Such awesome fashion! It looks like so much fun! I hope sometime in my life I can go to it. :P
December 22nd, 2009 at 23:30
Allegra says:I really really wanna go to the Whitby Gothic Weekend someday! really badly but I dont know what my outfit would be, sigh.”
December 22nd, 2009 at 23:30
Ana Hi says:Wow interesting, never knew about this we should go some time ^_^
December 23rd, 2009 at 00:25
lacarmina says:Oh that's so funny! It's also one of my life goals, to go to Whitby Gothic Weekend… I haven't been to many European Goth events. I better catch up!
December 23rd, 2009 at 00:25
lacarmina says:There are Lolita groups that go there. :)
December 23rd, 2009 at 00:25
lacarmina says:We totally should. It's on my list of things to do before I am undead.
December 23rd, 2009 at 00:26
Phantom Q says:Happy holidays!
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:26
custom dress shirts says:Whitby Gothic, why i never heard of that name before, hey, if we go together, we can share the cost, anyone want go for the holiday?
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:30
Naka says:Omg I went both time this year I wasn't allowed to stay over night though.
I saw some people in lolita and there were even lolita dresses on sale ^^
December 23rd, 2009 at 13:00
lady_natalie says:I went to Whitby goth weekend by accident this year, i was so dissapointed i hadn't realised it was on, i would've dressed up! I live really near Whitby, and i was going to Scarborough, which is really near there, and when i looked for driving directions all i got was 'follow signs to Whitby', so i did. I'm glad i went there instead though, there was some amazing costumes. Maybe next year!!
December 23rd, 2009 at 20:19
Lemon says:Carmina, I think we need to make THIS trip too. What do you say?
December 23rd, 2009 at 22:47
lacarmina says:Ye olde England! Hm, I say we stop first at London's Camden Market to pick up some Goth boots, then head to Whitby and do a photoshoot amidst the crumbling ruins… :)
December 23rd, 2009 at 22:48
lacarmina says:By accident — that is so funny! You're lucky to live nearby — Whitby happens in April and October every year, so you can even check it out this spring.
December 23rd, 2009 at 22:48
lacarmina says:You are so lucky… >< I would love to go! What were your favorite bands or events?
December 24th, 2009 at 01:19
Graham says:“Whitby Goth weekend is great. I've been to the April one twice – 2008 and 2009. Great people and great bands both times, although I must say the high point was meeting steampunk band Abney Park
December 24th, 2009 at 01:19
Moon Maiden 90 says:amazing!
December 24th, 2009 at 04:41
Thomas says:Bela Carmina's un-dead
The bats have left the bell tower
The victims have been bled
Red velvet lines the black box
Bela Carmina's un-dead
December 24th, 2009 at 04:42
Thomas says:Oh My Friggen Awesome! I think I'll have to plan a whole trip to Jolly Ol' England for this!
December 24th, 2009 at 04:43
lacarmina says:I think the consensus is that there should be a grand field trip to Whitby… :D
December 24th, 2009 at 17:48
shauku says:OH WOW that maroon dress is FREAKING-TASTIC-AWESOME!!! that must cost a fortune @_@
oh may, and what lovely bunch of kids. how adorable!
happy holidays everybody
December 24th, 2009 at 17:50
lacarmina says:It was Zoe's tip of the hat to Japanese Gothic style! Happy nightmare before Xmas to you too!!!
December 24th, 2009 at 21:14
Lemon says:I'm game!
December 25th, 2009 at 05:27
All Women Stalker says:I have never been to a goth event. The photos tell me that it would be an interesting event to attend.
-Denise