West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK returns this month and has announced it’s line-up for the autumn/winter extravaganza which will showcase an exciting array of local designers, independent boutiques and top names in high street retail.
The jam-packed series of catwalk shows will give audiences a preview of the season’s hottest trends and organisers have predicted a huge flux of regal colour on the catwalks with the popularity of purple in many of this season’s collections as well as sharp shoulders, velvet, sequins and tweed.
The event kicks off on Thursday 29th October with a spectacular ‘Fashion Through the Decades’ showcase, a chic look at how fashion has changed over the last 100 years in the life of the City Hall, incorporating historical pieces and today’s style which is inspired by the past.
Friday 30th October will see Northern Ireland’s top designers and designer boutiques take to the catwalk. Boutiques including Carter, new store Candy Plum, Madison Rose, Harrison, Blush, Liberty Blue, Fran & Jane and Atelier will showcase their exciting collections alongside local designers Una Rodden, Lizzie Agnew and Grainne Maher as well bridal lingerie store Lacy May’s and ‘almost new’ designer store Déjà Vu on the Lisburn Road.
As a special addition to the schedule, Polish designer Tomasz Ossolinski will guest at the events on Friday 30 October. FASHIONWEEK Director Cathy Martin said: As part of Polska Year, a celebration of all things Polish across the UK, BFW has teamed up with Tomasz to show his collection at FASHIONWEEK. We took a trip to Warsaw back in April to source new design talent and were amazed at what we found there. I imagine great things will happen for Tomasz on the international stage in the next year or two so we’re delighted to have him showcase here on our catwalk in Belfast.
Rounding up FASHIONWEEK’s catwalk shows on Saturday 31 October will be the hottest names on the high street. The show will include funky fashion from Firetrap, Clockwork Orange and Warehouse, vintage delights from Oxfam Vintage, perfect party dresses from Oasis, French Connection and new store Lipsy, wonderful winter wear from Marks & Spencer, sexy temptations from Wonderbra and bang on trend jewellery from Argento. Tempest will also take their brands, including aIwear, Bay, Fuse and Quiz to the runways.
In addition to the shows, fashion photographer Khara Pringle will showcase her ‘Uniform of Fashion’ photography exhibition which will feature pictures of iconic style trends over the years covering everything from the Little Black Dress to tartan and top hats. The exhibition will also explore the individual looks of a number of local celebrities including TV presenter Zoe Salmon, actor James Nesbitt, Apprentice star Ben Clarke, Miss Northern Ireland Cherie Gardiner and British Lion Stephen Ferris.
The event will reach a very fashionable end at CoCo Restaurant on Sunday 01 November for the second Style Sunday - a glamorous gourmet luncheon accompanied by trend forecasts and seasonal style tips from some of the country’s top style and glamour experts. Guests will dine on a fabulous 3 course meal from the CoCo kitchen and enjoy fashionable West Coast Cooler Cocktails whilst having an ‘Up Close and Personal’ look at Designer Extraordinaire Una Rodden’s autumn/winter collection. The award winning team at Paul Stafford Hairdressing will take guests through the hottest hair styles for the season and make up maestro Paddy McGurgan and the team from Smashbox will showcase colour palettes for the season. All proceeds from the luxury luncheon will go towards the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice and the event runs from 1-5pm and costs £45.00 per person. Places can be booked through CoCo reservations on Tel: +44(0)2890 311150.
Touching up the hair at the shows will be Denise McCluskey from Michele International in the City centre and Paul Stafford’s team from his Lisburn Road salon, while Michael Quinn will tousle tresses at the finale show and provide a spectacular Halloween hair show of his own. Make up, which is sponsored by Smashbox, will be expertly applied by Paddy McGurgan, who has been leading artist at FASHIONWEEK for five years. And in true FASHIONWEEK style, the finest details such as models’ nails are looked after by celebrity nail king Peter Gilroy.
Show tickets, which cost £10, are available from the Welcome Centre Box Office on 028 9024 6609 or online at www.iristickets.co.uk. For further information on show schedules, tickets, links to participant retailers and designers as well as the season’s hottest trends, log on to www.belfastfashionweek.com.