Belfast Fashion Week springs back into action
23/01/12
Belfast Fashion Week springs back into action
Claire McCallion
Image courtesy of CMPR
Ireland’s leading fashion extravaganza, West Coast Cooler Fashion Week, has launched its eighth year and thirteenth season of shows and fashion events.
Celebrating Spring/Summer 2012’s key trends such as pastels, sports luxe and shimmer, the programme – which runs from March 14 to 18 - includes five days of catwalk shows, master classes, the Culloden’s Fashion Teas and the popular Style Sunday event - and it promises to have something to suit fashion fans of all ages and tastes.
Director of Belfast FashionWeek, Cathy Martin, said: “Our exciting programme will include breath-taking catwalk shows featuring stunning models styled to perfection by the most fashion forward retailers and designers. Then we’ll also introduce our free kids’ fashion seminar in conjunction with the Belfast Children’s Festival as well as our now popular daytime events - Style Sunday at James Street South restaurant with exciting new store Please Don’t Tell and designer Una Rodden as well as the Culloden Hotel’s Fashion Teas in association with luxury retailer Cruise.”
The event will come hot on the heels of Belfast City Council’s inaugural Independent Retail Week which will take place from March 5 and which will see independent retailers from across the city celebrating the wide scope of products and service available at stores throughout Belfast as well as with artisan and up-and-coming design talent.
And from Belfast independents to those from right across Northern Ireland at FashionWeek, Cathy also introduced the wide range of independent stores and designer boutiques which would be showing at FashionWeek saying: “On opening night we pass the catwalk gauntlet to our talented designers and stunning designer boutiques from across Northern Ireland, giving them the chance once again to wow audiences with their latest ranges. Boutique stores include Logans of Cloughmills, Candy Plum in Hillsborough, Notaria in Larne, Yoke and Blush in Belfast and Armani at The Outlet in Banbridge. Also from the Outlet, we’ll have collections from DKNY, Calvin Klein underwear and Chloe – as well as many others.”
“We’ll also host local design talent in the form of talented milliners John Paul from Derry and Belfast’s very own Grainne Maher. Lizzie Agnew, Maria Cardenas, Lisa McCabe, Zoe Boomer and Una Rodden will also showcase their collections while newcomers Ruedi Maguire and Dave Henderson will also host their edgy dress styles.
“For our high street catwalk night we’ll see Spring/Summer collections from online fashion store boohoo.com as well as French Connection, Karen Millen, Marks & Spencer, George at Asda, and stores including Oasis, LK Bennett, Kurt Muller and Pilot from The Outlet in Banbridge. CastleCourt stores GAP, New Look, Designers at Debenhams, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins and Republic will also showcase.
Throughout the week, breast cancer charity Pretty‘n’Pink will collect funds at all shows to support women who need to feel better about themselves after undergoing debilitating breast cancer surgery or treatment.”
The full show schedule is available online at www.facebook.com/belfastfw or at www.belfastfashionweek.com, along with details of this season’s trends plus links to all participant retailers and sponsors. Catwalk tickets, which cost £15.00 (or £20 for a limited number of exclusive front row seats) are available from the Belfast Welcome Centre on 02890246609 or via the website. Ticket price includes a goodie bag and a refreshing West Coast Cooler.