Mardi Gras Fashion Pop-Up Market

Overview

Erskineville's LGBTQIA+ haven The Imperial Hotel is doing it up big for Mardi Gras, boasting two straight weeks of parties, events and pop-ups. Coming up this Sunday, February 23 is a celebration of all things queer fashion when the Mardi Gras pop-up market takes over the main bar from noon–5pm.  You'll be able to pick up everything you need — and so much more — for parade day on February 29.

On the day, expect vintage and sparkly threads with a locally made, eco-friendly focus. A wide range of Aussie designers and LGBTQIA+ businesses will set up shop — you can nab swimwear from Frida Las Vegas, vintage dresses from The Crown Street Project, vegan beauty products from Sweet Cherry Soda and recycled plastic jewellery from Maraca Club. Plus, you'll find all-out festival wear from Nevada Clothing and handmade wooden accessories from Frank Wood.

Alongside the market, there'll be a patch-making and embroidery workshop for beginners, which you can attend for a donation and by RSVPing to rowanyeomans@gmail.com. And from 1–5pm, the UK's Whitley Neill will be offering complimentary gin tastings in the Priscillas Glasshouse upstairs.

Once you're all decked out, you can stick around for that night's downstairs Zodiac-themed dance party. For more details, check out the Imperial's full Mardi Gras program here.

Top image: Trent van der Jagt