Vogue Fabrics seemed to appear from nowhere; the first time we heard its name we wondered if Anna Wintour was writing about drapes. But soon enough we all knew that Vogue Fabrics was as underground an East London club as they come. And then, almost suddenly, it was an established gay venue with a plethora of busy quirky nights full of hot quirky boys and girls. So this week QX decided to take a closer look at the East London success story…
Alex Karotsch, aka DJ Duchess of Pork, discusses the gem in East London’s tiara, over a dark glass of Prosecco…
How would you describe the concept of Vogue Fabrics?
Anything goes in a sweaty little basement; it’s for everyone and anyone who likes it rough around the edges.
Give us a potted history of the club?
Lyall Hakaraia started Vogue Fabrics as a tranny after-hours hang-out. Then it turned into an underground speakeasy with the occasional party happening on random weekends, until it was fully licensed in 2011 with events happening every weekend and sometimes during the week.
What are the most outrageous things you’ve witnessed there?
Oh, there have been plenty! I don’t know where to start. Recently Danni Daniels was trying to get everyone to drink her piss pretending it was Prosecco. I don’t think anyone accepted…
COMING UP AT VOGUE FABRICS…
14/08/13: SPOKEN WORD LONDON
This night is run by our very own deputy editor, Pat Cash, and it originated in the culture-rich city of Paris and has now found it’s way through the doors of Vogue Fabrics. Everybody gets five minute to share their own, or others’, works with an audience of like-minded people. It’s different and it’s quirky, just like the venue.
Doors open at 8pm. Readings begin at 9pm. Ends at midnight. Free entry.
15/08/13: FEELINGS
Cementing their enthusiasm for all things artistic, on Thursday 15th Vogue Fabrics have poet Sophie Robinson hosting a night of poetry, film and sad disco – all with a homosexual twist, of course. Afterwards DJ Kemp hits the decks to get you moving – after being moved.
8pm-midnight. £3.
16/08/13: JOHN: HOMOSOCIAL
Coming from Australia, this homosocial party hits London for the first time on Friday. ‘John’ is named so because it covers all men; the missing person, the escort, the client, the celebrity, etc. And all kinds of men it shall be, with bears, jocks, marys, skinny fashionistas and fierce urban kool kids all partying under the one roof. The music is as diverse as the crowd with everything from disco to bass.
10pm-3am. £5
17/08/13: ANAL HOUSE MELTDOWN SUMMER PARTY
It’s the summer and you will literally melt down to the basement, sweating out to the R’n’B, disco, dancehall and raga beats that the crowd of hotties will be stomping their feet to. DJs include Twin Peakes, Prem Deep and GHL.
10pm-3am. £5.
31/08/13: R & SHE
R & She is the place where true luvvers of the gay hip-hop and R’n’B scene go to get their musical fix, flick their weaves and give out the side-eye. Hot stuff DJ QBoy gives the crowd everything urban from Salt’n’Pepa to Christina Milian via Lil’ Kim until everyone is all twerked out. The venue is always full by midnight for this event, so be sure to arrive early!
07/09/13: DIRTBOX
As the name suggests this Saturday nighter is literally a box of dirt; the basement of Vogue Fabrics turns into a writhing mess of men sliding past, into and around each other. It gets hot so they’re advising you wear as little as possible – whether that means a vest and small shorts or just a jockstrap is up to you. DJing royalty Princess Michael of Cunt and the Duchess of Pork provide the sounds at this musical orgy.
26/09/13: NAKED BOYS READING 1st BIRTHDAY
It’s boys with no clothes on… reading. Simples. Every session is themed, with readers doing so fully in the buff. Come disco dancing time after the readings, boys have been known to strip off and get sweaty on the dancefloor. Art and clubbing collide. We love! September marks the event’s first birthday.
Doors open at 7.30pm, show at 8pm. Confirmed boys will be: Ashley Ryder, Chris Miller, James Stanley Thomas, with more TBC.
• Vogue Fabrics is at 66 Stoke Newington Road, Dalston, N16 7XB.
