Hidden celebrity
(Models and celebrities at the Hidden Lane Festival: Glasgow, Scotland)
I’ve been absent for a bit longer than intended, despite my allowance to myself that I would tone down the daily dose of world meets rosie. My mother and her friend were visiting at the weekend and as well as providing me with general amusement, the pair of them had traveled up here to see a play performed in Glasgow’s Botanic gardens. Every year, Shakespeare plays are put on outdoors under the name Bard in the Botanics. I have been to at least one play each season for years and have never suffered more than a little cold. Thankfully we escaped the worst of the rain yet again, and Carol (my mum’s friend) had brought a camping chair for me – much more serviceable than a picnic blanket or plastic stool, this fold out number was complete with a cup holder - almost as good as a range rover. This one was a burlesque inspired, song peppered version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of the Bard’s sillier ones. I thought I was going to fall off my chair with hysterics at one point – the last half hour is positively hilarious.
Prior to the very successful evening’s performance, we looked in at the Hidden Lane Festival, just off Argyle Street and I managed to snap this beauty. For anyone not aware of who the two gentlemen are in this image (and there may be many), they are Colin (brunette) and Justin (blonde); local celebrities who hit the big time a few years ago in television shows along an interior décor theme. I recall that my father and I would sit occasionally and watch their programmes, not for the style tips and DIY advice, but for the general entertainment of this ludicrous pair. Their on screen arguments are as amusing as any drama, and their outfits are difficult to best. All in all, they have become part of the Glasgow fame fabric, for better or worse. I actually was stood behind the peroxide one in a nearby bakery last week and spent the rest of the day trying to figure out which one of the pair he was. I settled for telling friends I had seen ‘Colin / Justin’. Carol, mum and I posited that shortly after this photo was taken, they probably had a row – as well as being partners in interior décor crime, they are also life partners. Since they were merely passing through the festival as attendees, when asked by the model photographer if they might stop for a few snaps, Colin smilingly agreed, but with a rather reluctant Justin on his hands. They exchanged words and agreed they would acquiesce. I leapt in as an opportunistic bystander and am pleased to have caught the fact that Justin (blonde) is looking less than thrilled. I also noted that it was rather lovely that they assumed exactly the same pose – I find them a delightful pair. I would claim that they enrich my life with their musings and silly behaviour. Upon reading their blog, I noted they occasionally sign off with “Colin and Justin – Style Warriors”. I love that – it’s so right for them. It also made me laugh very hard. I might start signing off with my own title.
The jewellery models must have been a little chilly at some points during the day, especially sine they were basically wearing tights and leotards. However, they have formed a wonderfully fitting backdrop for the style warriors. The festival was a very busy spot, even with the drizzly weather. The Hidden Lane is stacked with studios for various small businesses and all of them were showing off their best that day. People were out in force, shimmying between the craft and fashion and design stalls; buying, eating, drinking and selling. On the way out, we passed a junk shop, afiliated with one of the stalls in the lane – I bought four large mounted photographs taken in the seventies by a man from the Shettleston photography club – near where my Gran lives. All four cost £2 altogether – now I just have to mount them, probably not next to a gilt framed portrait of Colin and Justin.
Well, that’s all for now.
Rosie – Creative socialiser.
(Any better suggestions? Keep it nice.)
– Today Rosie is back to work on some new drawings for a client in Glasgow Scotland –
