In a world of mass consumerism, conformity and conservatism, it’s refreshing to find that the exotic, the eclectic and the eccentric still has its place. In Cambridge, this place is Fantasia.
Perfectly at home on the most diverse street in the city – Mill Road – Fantasia is an emporium of the ‘unusual and unnecessary’, as its sign promises.
Fantasia mixes up quirky original pieces (notably 1950s Japanese mementos and kimonos) with new and vintage designer clothes and cheap chic fashion. Antique woodblock prints, mirrors, ceramics, textiles and homeware, games, toys – in fact pretty much anything that can be classified as fun and decidedly different finds a welcoming home at Fantasia.
Fantasia originally popped up in Hope Street Yard, Romsey, during the summer of 2013. The brainchild of ‘Mill Road Maven’ Pam Wesson, this unique pop-up is inspired by nostalgia for her family's 17 years spent in Japan and her own 27 years in Paris.
After ‘popping-up’ in other Mill Road premises, Pam settled with a 12-month contract into her current location at 64 Mill Road.
Following her passion for independent retail, Pam has combined forces with friends Susan Dix (Dixie’s) who has been at the Cambridge Market for over 40 years; Clair Milligan (Romsey Retro); and Suzanne Collins. The three Fantasia friends bring jewellery and jewelled masks, carefully curated clothing, retro furniture and a fantastic range of pottery to the Fantasia party.
Fantasia
64 Mill Road
Cambridge
CB1 2AS
www.fantasia.uk.com
Discover unique boutiques and boutique hotels mingled with communities of artists and craftspeople. Sample an award-winning restaurant or thriving little café tucked away in a back street – all easy to locate with the 200 page full-colour Independent Cambridge guide.
Handily presented with a map and an index at the beginning of each section, this book is the indispensable key to finding out what’s on offer from the independents of Cambridge. Get your copy from Waterstones, Heffers, many of the independent shops or online at www.independent-cambridge.co.uk