There are those who dress for the weather, and then there are those who dress as if their life depends on it. Enter Maur Valance—a true icon of London’s alternative nightlife and a definitive pioneer of the 1980s New Romantic movement.
I managed to capture this striking portrait during our encounter with the Spitalfields Colour Walk, and it perfectly encapsulates the raw, theatrical energy he brings to the market every month.
Framed against a deep plum backdrop, Maur effortlessly commands the lens, showcasing his signature eye for avant-garde styling with stacked orange and purple fedoras, a bold graphic tee, and an impeccable Vivienne Westwood pearl orb necklace. For street photographers, he isn't just a subject; he is a living archive of British subculture and a masterclass in the art of absolute self-expression.
The Colour Walk is a gathering of creative people who love colour and dressing up like Derek and Ade shown here in their bright and colourful clothes for the June gathering.
The Colour Walk at Old Spitalfields Market isn't a traditional club with formal membership or a rigid history. Instead, it is a vibrant, monthly grassroots gathering of artists, maximalists, fashion renegades, and color lovers that has organically transformed East London's street landscape.
The root of the Colour Walk traces back to Sue Kreitzman, an American-born, London-based artist, curator, and self-described "walking gallery." Kreitzman, legendary for her bright, flamboyant wearable art and her ethos—"Don't wear beige, it can kill you"—was a religious attendee of the Spitalfields Thursday Flea Market from the very day it launched. Because Kreitzman was always explicitly recognizable in her technicolor outfits, Old Spitalfields naturally became a weekly meeting point for her equally artistic, brightly dressed friends. For years, this informal network of creatives simply met to catch up, hunt for vintage treasures, and share style inspiration.
The First "Official" Walks (2016)While the social circle had existed for some time, it lacked a formal title or a structured event format.The Name: In mid-2016, Galina Sherri (owner of the vintage boutique Gigi’s Dressing Room) gave the gathering a definitive name: The Colour Walk. The Pop-ups: Sherri organized the very first official iterations of the event as pop-up gatherings. The first was held at the V&A Museum in May 2016, followed by the first official Spitalfields event in August 2016, and a third in Walthamstow later that year. Establishing the Monthly TraditionIn December 2016, Florent Bidois, a regular attendee and close friend of Kreitzman, wanted to see the event become a predictable, permanent fixture. He took over the heavy lifting of coordination, formalizing it into a recurring monthly meetup. Bidois anchored the event to the third Thursday of every month to intentionally align with the market’s premier antiques and flea market day.
Aside from a 16-month hiatus during the pandemic, it has occurred monthly ever since. How It Operates TodayNo Rules, No Fees: There is no registration, ticket, or official membership. Anyone who loves bold expression can simply turn up. The "Walk" Paradox: Despite the name, participants don't actually walk a specific route. Because many of the older, foundational members have limited mobility, the event is primarily a stationary social gathering. The 2:00 PM Photo: Attendees gather around lunchtime inside the market to mingle, swap styling notes, and catch up. The event officially culminates in a massive, theatrical group photograph at 2:00 PM. A Haven for Street & Portrait PhotographersOver the years, the Colour Walk has organically developed a symbiotic relationship with London's photography community. Because the attendees are essentially living installations who actively enjoy being documented, the third Thursday of the month has become an iconic visual playground.
On any given month, a dedicated pack of street photographers, portraitists, and tourists gather alongside the participants, turning the historic brick-and-iron architecture of Spitalfields into an impromptu, high-energy open-air studio.
