About

An originator and incubator of queer arts and entertainment in Dalston, VFD has hosted, promoted and nurtured emerging and superstar LGBTQI performers, acts and nights.

VFD supports:  

Queer cultural endeavours

Social revolution through partying

Sweaty disco dancing

The local and worldwide Queer community     

VFD is:

A basement of dreams

An arts space

A hub of queer London with the very best in music, performance and mayhem

Femmifesto

vFd has always been a safe space for all, in the light of neoconservatism and the need for intersectional unity we want to reiterate the beliefs and practice that we stand by. 

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vFd is a space to imagine, create and take action. 

It is place to make transgressive imagery, a home to the outlaw rebel visionary and a space to discuss the critical alteration of the oppressive status quo.

We ask in the interests of liberation and for the enjoyment of all who find their way to vFd that you
observe the following:

Respect yourself and everyone else. 

Glorify all bodies for their individual beauty and power. 

Celebrate each person’s self-determined gender. 

Always establish positive consent … it’s hot! 

Remember to frequently tell your friends you love them. 

If at any point during your time at vFd you feel our code of conduct is not being observed then please tell one of the vFd staff so that they may rectify the problem immediately. 

We understand that each of us is on a journey of constant transformation and that as a community we are here to love each other through the challenges of dismantling the oppressive imperialist white supremacist capitalist heteronormative patriarchy in order to live equally in shared freedom. 

Lastly, we ask you to be patient with us at vFd. Change is the only constant in life. We will always take on new knowledge and strive to better serve the community. 

Accessibility Info

We regretfully apologise that VFD is in a basement venue accessed by a staircase and therefore is not wheelchair accessible. 

The main space is accessed by a single staircase with 12 stairs that has a single bannister along the entire length. There are no steps or stairs once you are in the basement.

There are two toilets in the basement space, each are gender neutral and have no steps to them. 

There is a smoking area downstairs that closes at 11pm, however if you have access needs, please tell staff and you are welcome to use the basement level smoking area throughout the night. 

There are benches along the space if you need to sit down. 

If there is anything we can do to facilitate your visit to vFd then please contact us on info@vfdalston.com and we will do our very best to help in advance and on the night.

tHEIRSTORY

In 2007 VFD - known then as Vogue Fabrics - emerged from the depths of Lyall (couture designer) Hakaraia’s home and studio basement. The building at 66 Stoke Newington Road comprised formerly of a Turkish dance studio, immigration office and flophouse, became the atelier base of Lyall’s fashion business, and the basement became a safe queer space attracting all sorts of waifs, strays and gays to party the weekends away. Word spread and the parties got wilder. The clientele, a mix of queens, party people and transgender sirens, became a honey pot for any freak with attitude and a thirst for performance and late night discos.

Over the last decade this clientele has turned into a strong community. Vogue Fabrics was reborn as VFD in 2015 is now one of the few remaining queer underground spaces which give home to a performance programme boasting everything from live art, poetry readings, political meetings, panel discussions, film nights, live gigs and charity events (as well as lo-fi high-art gloriously trashy disco dancing, of course).

ChaRity

VFD is currently supporting The Outside Project

An LGBTIQ+ community shelter & centre. Independent, grassroots project led by queer ex-homeless, homelessness professionals, community & activists.