This has manifested itself in the recent launch of our bi-monthly Style of Wight magazine; where the Island’s creative community and local businesses are fused together, in a one-stop read for everything worth doing and worth knowing about, on the little-but-loud Isle of Wight.
With its quirky but kitsch tourist shops, beach huts and ice cream parlours, the Isle of Wight’s seaside charm is, once again, becoming irresistible to London’s hoi polloi and celebrities alike, attracting the likes of Kate Moss to Katie Price - even Jude Law has taken a trip to The Needles. A reignited fascination with traditional British seaside, and holidaying at home, was highlighted when Hollywood’s hottest couple, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, visited Ventnor a couple of months ago.
But who needs Hollywood, when the Isle of Wight has its’ own A list?! With budding new talent, such as 22 year old fashion photographer, Oscar May – who has already had his work published in Vogue – and Fifi Newbury –  the Models 1 cover star of our last issue –there’s more to the island than meets the eye. Other high flyers at the top of their respective industries, who have put roots down on the Island, include Style of Wight’s own Food Editor, Aneke Spacie, who has cooked at The Ivy and Harrods, as Head Chef and Michelin star winner, Robert Thompson, who is Head Chef at Ventnor’s luxury boutique hotel, ‘The Hambrough’.  Aside from the Island’s food connoisseurs, artist David Firmstone, who has received national acclaim for his landscape paintings, chose to move here  – perhaps not so surprising given that over half of the Island is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
In historical terms, the Nation’s literary greats; John Keats, Charles Dickins and poet laureate, Alfred Lord Tennyson, have graced the Island’s shores - finding inspiration upon its fertile downlands. Even Charles Darwin and pioneering photographer Julia Margaret Cameron, have found reason to stay a while. In film, Oscar winning director, the late Anthony Minghella - who was raised on the Island - even mentioned it in his 1997 acceptance speech, showing that, for him, winning his award also meant “a great day for the Isle of Wight.” A throw away comment perhaps but, if you scratch beneath the surface, it shows our diamond shaped isle has a lasting impact. In another interview, Minghella remembered, “There was a rich music scene on the Island...and for me writing songs developed later into writing plays.” It seems that the Island’s rich musical heritage has been a true source of inspiration, and it continues to be the case.
Since the IOW Festival was re-introduced, in 2001, and the Bestival was launched at Robin Hill in 2004, the Island’s music scene is once again taking centre stage. There are plenty of opportunities for local bands who, via Platform 1’s Wight Noize competition, have the chance to perform at the prestigious IOW Festival. Island group, The Windows, won the chance to play at the Festival last year, whilst local band, The Kurves, have been picked by the Bestival booking agents three years in a row - an experience which many unsigned bands can only dream of.  Kurves drummer, Wez Maynard, was booked to support The Pigeon Detectives in 2008, alongside another Island band, The Operators. Now that the industry is starting to notice Island musicians, there is more potential than ever for local bands to do well.
As people return to the Island - whether on a visit for its music scene, beaches or the breath taking country side - it is clear the Isle of Wight has that little something extra. There is a real sense of community, whereby everyone takes pride in other islanders’ achievements. With new waves of talent washing up on its shores, the Isle of Wight is fast becoming the precious gem of the South.