For those not in the know (where have you been?) Goodwood Revival is an immersive vintage event staged entirely in period theme – recreating the glory days of Goodwood motor racing from 1948-1966 – bringing back to life treasured cars, vintage fashion and, most significantly, the concept of a less disposable world. Make Do and Mend – the idea that you can recycle, repair and repurpose all time-worn and pre-loved treasures – isn’t resigned to the history books, Revival is a metaphorical catwalk for creative ways to live stylishly and sustainably.

That’s where Revive & Thrive comes in – the event ethos that brings us a host of demonstrations, pop-ups and workshops to empower us to keep special things alive. From sewing and printing to darning and restoring, there’s a lot going on… here’s the lowdown.

Sewing, stitching and salvaging second-hand clothes

If you’re anything like us, you’ll be spending hours scrolling through Vinted, the second-hand clothing app, and let’s be honest – not all purchases are an instant hit! At Revival’s Revive & Thrive areas, you can learn how to customise and adapt pieces to your preference, or have them altered to fit.

With a special interest in reviving heritage skills, Nerrisa Pratt set up The Bargello Edit in 2020, with a book and kits to re-introduce this retro needlecraft to the mainstream. She has appeared on Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas, and recently surpassed a million views on TikTok with her first attempt at shoemaking. In February, she officially launched The Craft Room Co., a sustainably-minded sewing school in Guildford that offers workshops with influencers and local makers. She will be curating and leading the sewing workshops for a variety of abilities – even novices like us! – in the Revive & Thrive Sewing Tent, available to book online later this year.

Modernising the Make Do and Mend methods

TV presenter and sustainable interior designer, Micaela Sharp – who you’ll no doubt recognise from Changing Rooms and Interior Design Masters – will also be on hand to bring to life the old school Make Do and Mend crafts with a line-up of expert craftspeople.

Finding fresh new ways to reinvent traditional techniques and repurpose or fix up beautiful old things, Micaela and her community will have all sorts of gems to help you make more sustainable choices back at home.

Restoring retro rides and vintage vehicles

Just as you’d expect from the home of classic cars, you’ll also discover special engineering projects in process, with TV’s Dominic Chinea leading the charge. A seasoned set designer, metalwork expert and vehicle restorer, Dom will be appearing at Revival to share his unique experiences of keeping old cars and bikes in action.

Fans of The Repair Shop will already know Dom and his many talents around restoration work. Roughly translated that means: he’ll renovate ‘anything with wheels’. He also has a passion for helping people who want to turn their skill into a side business – see his other show, Make It At Market for a tonne of tear-jerking success stories – so he’s helping to curate the line-up of Revive & Thrive craftspeople on event.

Sourcing, sustaining and saving on style

Vintage fashion is very much at the heart of all things Revival, which is why one of the most famous faces on the scene, style activist, Dandy Wellington, will be hosting talks all about the joys of vintage.

Elsewhere on the schedule, a dazzling line-up of influencers and authors will be sharing their wisdom around caring for vintage pieces properly, how to thrift and how special pieces can be repaired or even recycled. True to the Revive & Thrive ethos, that beautiful things were made to last, and we can reference the wisdom from the past to revive them.

Goodwood Revival, 8-10 September, Goodwood Estate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0PX. Tickets start from £64 and are now limited for the Goodwood Revival. Tickets can be purchased at goodwood.com or calling 01243 755055. Hospitality packages can be organised by emailing hospitality@goodwood.com or calling 01243 755054.

Vintage fashion, sustainable craft and beautiful cars – Goodwood Revival is back!

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