The delicacy of fish and chips recreated in felt form and dogs excitedly scurrying around are just of the scenes Londoners have witnessed across the capital in recent days.
The Big Woof, a dog festival spread over 13 September to 14 September and run by Woof About UK, saw pooches take to the streets of London with their owners.
The event, which is in its third year, had the theme of fashion due to London Fashion Week happening in the days ahead – from 18 to 22 September.
Curated independent brands attended the event and sold everything from trendy outfits for dogs to biscuits with a fashion theme to keep canine attendees happy.
‘My Dog’s Got Talent Shows’ and activity sessions such as dog sound bathing and Tarot card reading for canines also happened at the festival.
Professional tarot reader Yvette Farmer, who was present at The Big Woof doing tarot card readings for dogs, said: “My reading slots sold out straight away, weeks before the event.”
Gaynor Jackson, 55, the co-owner and founder of Woof About UK, said the aim of the organisation’s events is to connect dogs and their owners.
The Big Woof was sparked from a social media page called ‘The Four Legged Foodies’, which Jackson set up – but no longer exists – and saw her review the best dog friendly pubs and restaurants around London.
“We like to do events in places where there is a natural footfall,” Jackson said.
“The people that we’ve got dog dancing from France (on 13 September) stumbled upon us in our first year, and they contacted us and said they’d like to come and put on a full thirty minute dog dancing demonstration for this year.”
Elsewhere in the capital, a life size chip shop was recreated in felt from 1 August to 14 September.
Lucy Sparrow, 39, was the mastermind behind the unique creation called ‘The Bourdon Street Chippy’.
It was the 15th exhibit for the Suffolk-based artist, who previously showcased some of her work in an exhibition called the ‘Cornershop’.
With 65,000 pieces and eight months in the making, the exhibition’s residency attracted artists, children, and natural passers-by into the welcoming embrace of the chippy, both in British familiarity and physical feel.
Sparrow said the inspiration behind the project was the “quintessential British takeaway”.
Prior to stepping foot into the glow of the chip shop, visitors were greeted by workers in ‘Bourdon Street Chippy’ aprons.
Entering the exhibition, attendees saw charming felt booths and full fish suppers sat upon traditional blue and white tablecloths and accompanying felt condiments such as ketchup, salad cream, vinegar and salt.
Attention to detail went above and beyond with the felt notice board and the portrait posters on the walls, again all completely felt, and available to purchase.
Sparrow said: “All the wall pieces, the first editions, will all go to their homes” after the exhibition has concluded.
When asked if she would experiment with other mediums, Sparrow said: “This is my thing. I’ve been making it since I was 6 years old.”
Her dedication to creating using felt will continue ahead of her Candy store opening in Miami this coming December.
Featured image credit: Asha Rajoriya
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