A Fair for Stylish Rebels

By Miamichelle Abad

The huge warehouse exterior of the Brooklyn Bazaar appears to be just another industrial space in Williamsburg, but on weekends and Friday nights it comes alive with a nightclub aura or flea market setup, depending on the event. On April 19th the Bazaar held a party just for ladies during the day.

Bust magazine hosted its annual Craftacular’s Primped Fair at the Bazaar, attracting a young crowd of hipsters showing off their rainbow hair colors and spring fashions. For a $5 admission fee, attendees received a pink “x” on their hands — an unofficial mark to let fair-goers leave and return with ease — and access to unique products at the event, billed as “an indie fashion, beauty and vintage fair for stylish rebels.”

“It’s eclectic, fun and there’s an indie crowd,” said Aubrey McClintock, the owner of A Daily Obsession. McClintock started a business around her new-found niche, whimsical hat creations that can be worn as clips or adhered to headbands. Plastic margarita cups, huge beaded donuts, tfun-sized mexican sombreros, McClintock’s designs take the quirkiness of the Mad Hatter to another level.

“I use to sew and I shifted to making hats in August,” McClintock said. “It was a dramatic change.” Her miniature hats tend to draw a curious crowd, but some customers “don’t get it and won’t buy it,” she said.

The fair featured free hair braiding, tarot card readings, friendship bracelet making and temporary tattoos. The first 300 customers received free goodie bags. Ladies looking for a touch-up headed to the Organic Face’s table, where they received mini makeovers free of charge. Twenty-somethings got crafty at the the make-and-take flower crown table, navigating plastic stems and gluing fake blossoms to plastic headbands.

“I feel like it’s a lot of fun,” said Rose Dionicio, El Dorado gift shop vendor. This was her first BUST fair. Dionicio sells unique rings, wallets and purses hand-crafted by artisans in Colombia. The deceptively plastic looking rings on display were made from tree nuts in Colombia. It’s been a year since Dionicio first started working as a vendor and she hopes to one day open up a store with her family to showcase the products. Like most vendors at this year’s Primped fair, products from the El Dorado gift shop can be bought online. “I’ve never seen a market like this before,” Dionicio said.

While primping themselves, attendees took advantage of the two bar stations that served creative cocktails. At the seating area a DJ played oldies – like Michael Jackson’s P.Y.T – and loud electronic music. After shopping and making a friendship bracelet or two, many strolled over to Dr. Bronners for a relaxing hand massage topped with lotion.

Shara Porter has been selling her hand-printed fine and faux leather bags for 10 years. All of her leather handbags and wallets are made from 100% vegan leather that Porter imprints with animal designs. At the moment her favorite animal print is the rabbit, inspired by her pet bunny, Valentine. Porter went to previous BUST magazine shows and likes the female empowerment message of the publication. “They even had a women’s mariachi band,” said Porter.