The British Guide to Showing Off

What started out as an excuse for a party for his friends, erupted dramatically into one of the biggest alternative versions of a globally recognised event.
Andrew Logan has said himself that the original Miss World “is ignored, yes”, since his The Alternative Miss World event took over the London party scene in 1972.

The Alternative Miss World involves power and flamboyance – showing off, yes, but with statement. Derek Jarman (pictured below) participated in the first contestant, and won it in 1975 with a frog and diamante earring ensemble. In 1981 Michael Haynes overwhelmed the competition with The Massed Band of the Irish Guards and a choir of 500. Limits? What limits?

With his infectiously delightful personality, Logan is well loved and admired. All manner of names are dropped when discussing the artist (from David Bowie to Tony Blair), and even Brian Eno suggested The Alternative Miss World event would be a perfect nomination for the Turner Prize.
But as far as he's concerned, The Alternative Miss World is as much a part of Logan's art as his sculptures - the winner's crowns are his own designs.

The British Guide to Showing Off serves to be a colourful and exciting inclusion in the festival, and begins previewing at the Watershed from the Sunday 6^th November, ahead of its full release from Sunday 20^th November.

The festival is delighted to welcome Director Jes Benstock to the Brief Encounters Jury 2011, and there will be a special dress up screening of Benstock’s short film Orders of Love which was “the film that Andrew saw that made him decide he wanted me to document the show and his life”, followed by the feature on Nov 6th at 20:30.

Fish out your most extravagant attire, put on your most outrageous costume and get totally frocked up: go wild! Prizes for the best dressed!

For more information and to purchase tickets, check out the festival's page here!