March 2013

"Spring Made Stylish" this Easter in Lurgan & Portadown!

Friday, March 29, 2013

There's nothing I enjoy more than indulging my obsession with all things fashion and style related, and so it's with with great excitement that I can reveal some very stylish events taking place in Lurgan and Portadown this Easter!

So why not avoid the snow this Spring and enjoy a day trip to sunny Lurgan or Portadown tomorrow where you can immerse yourself in a day of retail heaven at the fabulous ‘Spring Made Stylish’ events!

Professional models Jenny Curran and Katie Larmour who will be taking part in the ‘Spring Made Stylish’ event on Easter Saturday.

Organised by Craigavon Borough Council as part of their ‘Full of the Joys of Spring’ campaign, you will find everything the discerning shopper could possibly need for a fun-filled day of shopping and relaxation.

Be inspired by the professional models strutting their stuff in the stunning fashions offered by the chic boutiques and look out for the pop up podiums where the models will act as ‘live mannequins’ displaying the styles available. They will also be taking part in ‘walkabouts’, chatting to passers-by and giving out spot prizes to fashionable shoppers – so don’t forget to don your best street style!

So when the models have revealed the vast array of spectacular trends available, why not head to the wonderful boutiques and see what takes your fancy – not forgetting to keep an eye out for any special discounts being offered for one day only!

If you are looking for a new look from head to toe then don’t miss the glass sided marquee on plaza's where you will find hair and beauty experts ready and willing to give you a fabulous make over or just some tips on how to make the most of what you already have!

A U105 Roadshow in Lurgan featuring DJ favourite Julian Simmons will be running on the plaza providing music and chat to bring a fun atmosphere to the town, while U105 DJ Johnny Hero will be doing the same in Portadown! They will also be giving out entry forms for the interactive fashion trail around the town, with completed trails being entered into a draw for some fantastic Spring merchandise from Lurgan & Portadown's superb retailers.

So why not start off the Easter weekend with style and check out "Spring Made Stylish" in Lurgan and Portadown from noon to 3pm!!

To get information about all the Spring initiatives and events across the Borough, please ‘like’ the Discover Craigavon facebook page where you will also be in with the chance of winning one of a host of fabulous prizes!!

The main prize is a deluxe package which includes: an overnight stay for two at the Seagoe Hotel, a rally taster session at Superdrive Motorsports Centre, a beauty voucher for Pure@54, Orla May Beauty Salon Lurgan and a meal voucher for two persons at the delightful Bistro 47 in Lurgan.

Runners up prizes include a creative floral arrangement masterclass at Raining Roses, Lurgan, a retail voucher for Sitara Morgan Portadown and a Yellow Door culinary master class with renowned Yellow Door chef, Simon Dougan.

For full details of all Easter events and initiatives visit www.discovercraigavon.com or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/discovercraigavon

Emerging Creative Talent to Bring a Touch of Style, Music & Glamour to Stormont - Unify Fashion Showcase!!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Shauna Fay with model Carly Bell.

Over the years that I've been attending fashion events, I have seen Northern Ireland's design talent emerge and grow into formidable designers, producing truly covetable designs!

Well i'm very pleased to announce that some of Northern Ireland’s top emerging fashion and musical talent will be showcasing their skills at a fashion and music extravaganza in the beautiful and opulent surroundings of the Parliament buildings at Stormont on Saturday 04 May.

The chic black tie event, which is being organised by Unify Collective Fashion Studio and sponsored by Aston Martin, Belfast, will provide a unique platform for both graduate and student designers to showcase their collections while also introducing the audience to musical entertainment from up and coming local bands. All profits made from the evening will go towards Cinemagic, a charity supporting young people wishing to enter the film industry.

Unify studio manager and designer David Henderson said they are delighted to be given such a beautiful and historic platform to showcase the talent of local designers and musicians: “The current economic climate makes it hard for talented designers to gain employment and engage with retailers to nurture their careers as trading designers, but at Unify we really aim to change this.

“The Unify Fashion Showcase will be a collaboration of many young and established creative individuals within the fashion and music industry in Northern Ireland. We hope to highlight this artistic talent by creating a night to remember of high-fashion and entertainment in aid of 'Cinemagic' which also helps future creatives from the media industry, so all in all our event is creatives helping creatives, helping creatives!"

Kam Kouture with model Megan O'Hare.

The invitation to hold the Unify Fashion Showcase at Stormont came from Basil McCrea MLA who is a strong supporter of Unify Fashion Studio, which provides local designers with a professionally fitted design studio including the best equipment and materials available, enabling young Northern Irish designers to hone their talents. BBC Radio Ulster presenter and self-confessed fashion fan, Alan Simpson will host the evening.

Given the natural affinity that exists between the worlds of bespoke fashion and hand crafted sports cars, Aston Martin, Belfast are the perfect partner to sponsor the event.

John West at Charles Hurst Aston Martin commented: “Unify Northern Ireland and Aston Martin are a natural partnership, where both provide discerning customers with a tailor-made experience, not just in terms of their amazing products, but also through the exemplary levels of service customers can expect to experience. It’s our pleasure to support this fantastic event.”

Lucky audience members who snap up a ticket will see emerging fashion designers Shauna Fay, Kam Kouture by Kiera Anne Marie Phillips, David Henderson, Barry Devine, Mariana O’Reilly and Sinead Laverty feature their covetable pieces for autumn/winter 2013 throughout various rooms of the building. A selection of up and coming student designers from Belfast Metropolitan College will also be given a segment of the evening to showcase their work along with jewellery and millinery designers B’Jewelled Bridal, Melanie Bond and Aura. Providing guests the opportunity to see some of Northern Ireland's best emerging design talent!

Guests can relax and unwind with live music, a DJ set, food and drink right through to midnight before taking home a fabulous goodie bag at the end of the evening.

David Henderson with Model Rachel Denvir.

All profits from the event will be going to Children's Charity Cinemagic who have developed a worldwide reputation for excellence in children’s programming and is currently the largest film event of its kind for young people in Ireland and the UK.

Joan Burney Keatings, Chief Executive of Cinemagic said they are delighted to be working in partnership with an initiative that supports young creative talent, she said: “Cinemagic's ethos is to educate, motivate and inspire young people through the creative industries. We really appreciate the effort involved in organising this event which is supporting the work of Cinemagic and enabling opportunities for young people."

I myself attended the launch show for Unify last August and I was extremely impressed with the collections on display that evening, since then the Unify collective has grown in size and I cannot wait to see the latest designs by these hugely talented individuals!

The Unify Fashion Showcase will take place on Saturday 04 May with a drinks reception at 7pm with food served from 8-10pm. Tickets cost £30 each and are available through Unify and supporting shops (david@unifyni.com/ www.unifyni.com 028 9023 6452)

Shauna Fay with model Carly Bell.

Images feature David Henderson with model Rachel Denvir, Kam Kouture with model Megan O'Hare & Shauna Fay with model Carly Bell, Make-Up by Nuala Campbell, Photography and Design by Ricky Woodside, Hair Stylist Gillian Douglas-Rea and www.urbanfoxltd.com. Creative Team Carly Bell and Shauna Fay.

In Conversation with The George at Asda Design Team as they open WestCoast Cooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK SS'13 in Style!

Monday, March 25, 2013

A celebration of Millinery at it's very best, HATWALK 2013 is coming!!

Sunday, March 24, 2013

As a little girl, I used to look forward to watching Royal Ascot on television every year.......all those beautiful women dressed to kill in their stunning hats!! I used to dream that someday I would also have the opportunity to wear such beautiful creations!!

Well for me that dream has become a reality as i've been lucky enough to attend ladies day at Down Royal amongst other hat worthy events, but here is your chance to wear your hat for a good cause!

Hatwalk is taking place on “Wear a Hat Day” 28th March 2013 in the Hasting Everglades Hotel, Derry~Londonderry. This catwalk show will be showcasing the very best of Irish Millinery to highlight the many talented Milliners designing throughout the country, while raising money for Brain Tumour Research too!

The event will be compèred by friend and fellow fashion blogger Nicola McLaughlin, Editor of the hugely popular fashion blog "The Sequin Cinderella”. She will be introducing a fantastic line up of designers including Derry’s own John Paul & Katrina Gormley, Award winning Belfast Milliner Gráinne Maher, Leitrim native Jennifer Wrynne, County Down’s Mariana O’Reilly and Tyrone based Leonora Ferguson. Many of these designers have shown at other catwalk events I've attended and I for one cannot wait to see them showcasing their latest designs! With all six of these exciting young Milliners showcasing their headwear on the night, Hatwalk is set to be a must attend event for the North West’s most fashionable!

The extremely talented John Paul has also designed an exclusive City Of Culture collection of dresses and headwear to celebrate Derry’s status as City of Culture 2013, and this collection will be unveiled at Hatwalk alongside his current Millinery collection!

The Show will be taking place on ‘Wear a Hat Day’, an annual event by Brain Tumour Research which aims to raise awareness about the prevalence of brain tumours and the need for crucial research. Sue Farrington-Smith, Director of Brain Tumour Research, comments:

“Brain Tumour Research receives less than 1% of national cancer research spending in the UK yet this deadly disease kills more children and people under the age of 40 than any other cancer. ‘Wear a Hat Day’ is a fun way of increasing awareness and getting people raising money for an often overlooked form of cancer and we are delighted that Hatwalk is supporting Brain Tumour Research”.

Charity patron Philip Treacy, celebrity Milliner who creates signature headpieces for clients such as Lady Gaga & Sarah Jessica Parker which bear a price tag of £1,000 upwards, has donated one of his fantastic hats to Hatwalk to be auctioned during the show, He comments: “Fashion is a feeling and a mood and therefore how better to express your passion and commitment to a subject such as brain tumour research than by wearing a fantastic hat? It immediately creates a statement and it doesn't matter what the hat is or how much it costs; you will feel a million dollars in it, whilst also raising much needed research funds and awareness."

So why not hunt out your favourite hat and come to Hatwalk? Not only will you have the opportunity to see some stunning headwear designed by the best in Irish Millinery, but you will be supporting a fantastic cause! There will also be a special audience prize for the guest wearing the best hat, so make sure to dress to impress!

Tickets are now on sale from www.hatwalk.info and John Paul Millinery, Great James Street Derry. Standard tickets are £8.00 with a limited number of VIP tickets available priced at £15.00 (VIP ticket includes drink on arrival, premium seating and a goody bag) With all money raised going to Brain Tumour Research.

You can find more information about Hatwalk at www.hatwalk.info.

For anyone interested in Millinery, Hatwalk are also running a special 2013 – Designer Competition to find the new up and coming designers in the world of Millinery!

The competition is open to all designers whether you’re studying at Secondary School, University, design as a hobby or you’re a fashionista with a passion for design.

Entrants are asked to design a unique and fashion forward design that captures the spirit of “Wear A Hat Day” & Derry~Londonderry’s status as the UK’s first “City of Culture” The lucky finalists will have their designs modelled on the Hatwalk catwalk before an overall winner will be chosen by the judging panel live during Hatwalk! So if you have ever dreamt of seeing one of your creations on the catwalk, here's your chance!!

A full design brief and application form can be downloaded from: www.hatwalk.info.

In conversation with West Coast Cooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK Director Cathy Martin.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

In just two days time, the lights will dim within the iconic Ulster Museum, the music will blast, and the first of West Coast Cooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK models will sashay down the über glamorous catwalk of their new home...........girls FASHIONWEEK is back!!!!

As the countdown to the Spring/Summer'13 shows nears it's end, FASHIONWEEK Director Cathy Martin very kindly took a few moments out of her incredibly busy schedule to chat about what to expect from this season's FASHIONWEEK, her passion for nurturing the talent's of Northern Ireland's fashion creatives and reflect upon what has made FASHIONWEEK so special as it enters it's fifteenth season!

FASHIONWEEK Director Cathy Martin being interviewed for BFWTV by Katie Larmour at the SS'13 Launch.

There has been much anticipation for this season's FASHIONWEEK as it debuts in its new home, the Ulster Museum. What impact do you feel the venue has made on the FASHIONWEEK experience for attendees?

It’s a very chic venue and an iconic building so it’s really great to be there. We did a beautiful MaxMara show in the atrium in October and everyone loved the venue, so we thought we’d bring all of FASHIONWEEK here for a nice change.

The one thing which has impacted audience members with this move is the fact that our capacity is smaller, so less people will see each show unfortunately… We also had to increase ticket price slightly to help pay towards costs and I worried about that, especially as we had a couple of initial online groans, but we sold out again anyway - which proves that people will pay for quality when it comes to a nice event – and I’m delighted that so many have done that, particularly given the current climate. To be honest I could sell Friday and Saturday night’s shows twice over, but I’m just going to enjoy them once each this season and look at next season when it comes.

Whilst FASHIONWEEK favourites such as the Independent Boutiques, NI Designers and High Street shows have returned, this season we have a new face in the form of George at Asda, what do you think they have brought to the mix?

Lots of people are value shopping at the moment, and George offers some really great looks at affordable prices. In fact George is bucking the trend for retail growth and seeing winning sales figures across all its Northern Irish stores. This is down to a great team and also to the product on offer and how it is marketed.

In the industry, George has a reputation for embracing and nurturing some of the very best of British and Irish design talent – as sponsors of Graduate Fashion Week they handpick graduate designers straight out of the top colleges, to work alongside George's team of in-house designers to adapt their collections for the high street and day to day life. The ranges to date have been a huge hit with George customers of all ages and have flown off the shelves within minutes of going on sale. So although the fabric might be slightly different or less luxurious on individual garments compared to a designer piece, the look is not compromised.

A sneak peek at some of the key trends from this season's FASHIONWEEK Launch at the iconic Ulster Museum.

FASHIONWEEK is now in its fifteenth season and continues to be hugely successful, it's certainly the highlight of my fashion calendar, and has been for many years. What would you say is its enduring magic?

I think it’s because we bring great fashion to the mainstream. I aim to offer a bit of fashion theatre, not just your average run-of-the-mill show; and that means investing in really great models, fantastic photography, stylists, hairdressers etc.

There are amazing creative talents in Northern Ireland, and I like to nurture them. I know I have my favourites and find it hard to move away from them sometimes, but who knows, we may do some wonderful things for our tenth anniversary next year. I just wish that I had enough money to invite people to take part as there are some fantastic stores and designers out there in our small world whose work I’d love to showcase.

Looking back over the past fifteen seasons what has been your personal FASHIONWEEK highlight?

My very first FASHIONWEEK in 2004-5 was filmed by MTV and that was pretty cool for me starting out, but there have been so many exciting moments since too.

I really loved the car park show in Victoria Square in Autumn 2010. Anyone and everyone who saw it was wowed. Plus the catwalk was so long and wide and everyone in the audience had a great view, it’s a shame they aren’t taking part this year. The City Hall dome dress I commissioned with Lizzie Agnew in 2009 was a pretty iconic moment too. I also loved the creativity and complete bonkers-ness of some of the hair shows over the years – the Alice in Wonderland one by Michael Quinn and Paddy McGurgan in Spring 2010 was great – and Paul Stafford did a very Alexander McQueen looking one in City Hall in 2009 – it was really ethereal and so very cool.

Front pages of the Irish News, Belfast Telegraph, News Letter and Daily Mirror still wow me to this day plus I get such a buzz when the media take an interest in someone or something from the shows. The models, designers and crew we’ve set on the path to stardom – or just been lucky enough to use as their stars were in the ascendant - have given me some great, motherly pride moments. I remember with tenderness seeing Jude Nabney’s first BFW campaign, Grainne Maher’s first show, Naoise Tan’s first wobbly walk – and even Siva from The Wanted having his first kiss with his now girlfriend (a former dresser and now amazing shoe designer) backstage at our 2008 shows.

As a regular attendee of FASHIONWEEK over the years, I can't get over the sheer level of talent we now have in our local designers, and FASHIONWEEK continues to be the perfect platform for them to showcase their talents! What are your opinions on our current crop of NI designers?

A few years ago we only really had Michelle O’Doherty and her assistant – a young Donegal lady called Una Rodden. Fast forward ten years and Una leads a pack of creatively masterful talents. I love her own in-house protégé Katie Wilson as well as Shauna Fay, Ruedi Maguire, Grainne Maher, Rachel McKnight, Susan Black, Sean Henri Van der Simon and so many more. I would love to own a studio and boutique to showcase and sell all their products, as well as host a show featuring all their ‘best of’ moments, but failing that, I think our local buyers and retailers should support them as much as possible and sell their wares.

People assume that fashion is a bitchy industry, but it’s not at all in my experience. Bring creatives together and there may be fire at times, but the results are always amazing if everyone works hard! I have found a lot of respect in the industry and I love giving help and advice where I can. I do hate time wasters and ‘takers’ though.

As a stylish working woman, you always manage to keep one step ahead in the style stakes, which of this season's trends have you been adopting into your wardrobe?

I am going back to co-presenting the shows alongside Katie Larmour who does our BFWTV as our popular choice Zoe Salmon is not available, so I have to think about what I’m wearing instead of grabbing something backstage at the last minute. I love the whole head to toe white look and have some fun looks up my sleeve for the shows. I am planning on wearing a skort for the first time in my life - at 40, who’d have thought!? Ruedi has also made me a fun dress from his collection too; it’s an adaption of one he showed last season for this spring and I can’t wait to wear it as it has a nice cartoon shape! That’s two out of three nights sorted and still Style Sunday to plan for as well, but who knows what might turn up at the shows and end up in my wardrobe!

As for day to day, I always wear a kind of uniform of skinny jeans, silk blouses and interesting blazers as well as my array of boots. I’ll be rocking some more florals and metallics where I can for night time, as well as digging out my old white stilettos for a whizz.

Certainly as an audience member i've enjoyed watching the evolution of FASHIONWEEK over the years and as it enters it's fifteenth season I'm extremely excited to see what Cathy and her FASHIONWEEK team have up their sleeves! Again I must thank Cathy for taking the time to do this interview and I hope you've enjoyed reading about the highlights of FASHIONWEEK's gone by, as well as getting a sneak peek of what to expect from this week's shows!

While Friday and Saturday's shows have sold out, there are still some tickets available for Thursday's opening show, George at Asda available form the Belfast Welcome Centre Box Office 028 90246609 or online via the links on www.belfastfashionweek.com

Hope to see you all there, and for anyone who can't make the shows don't forget to check out my Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all my latest FASHIONWEEK biz direct from the FROW, as well as my blog post round ups from the shows!

All photographs taken by Stephen Potter.

A very stylish night at Action Mental Health's "Style at Stormont"!

Monday, March 18, 2013

Picture the scene: slowly walking up the opulent steps to the majestic Parliament Buildings, Stormont, not to attend a political meeting, but instead to attend a magnificent fashion show........well this may be the stuff that fashion dreams are made of, but last week it became a reality!!

Now in their 50th anniversary year and celebrating being chosen as the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission’s inaugural Charity of the Year, Action Mental Health hosted a glamorous night of fashion in the prestigious surroundings of the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, and the evening most certainly didn't disappoint!

The great thing about this particular event, was that it not only helped to raise money for an extremely worthwhile cause, but it also helped to raise the profile of the charity and awareness of mental health issues! Fellow fashion blogger Gemma-Louise Bond shared her own personal struggles with depression after suffering from Post Traumatic Stress, and we also got to hear from the CEO of AMH, David Babington, giving us all a welcome reminder as to the reason why we were all there! While the entertainment for the evening came from the hugely talented James Huish, Belfast’s very own “Bublé!

Mingling amongst guests during the drinks reception I was acting in my "StyleWatch" guise for Belfast Times, snapping away at all my fellow stylish attendees! It was also my privilege to be asked by AMH to judge their "Best Dressed" Competition! Not only did my uber stylish winner Sharon Geddis receive a fabulous large basket of sugary treats from Dolly's Retro Sweets, she also received the stunning handmade "Lizzie" necklace from Rebro Jewellery! Massive thanks to both for donating such fabulous prizes! Click HERE to read the post in full!

"Best Dressed" Winner Sharon Geddis, wearing a design by local award winning designer, Ruedi Maguire, pictured alongside her prizes from Dolly's Retro Sweets and Rebro Jewellery.

Photograph taken by myself.

As the evening's "Style Judge" I was once again wearing my favourite label, Karen Millen! I sported their stunning red signature stretch satin dress (DP156) and paired it with their stripe mini box bag (GL217) which perfectly complimented the red colourblocking in the dress, and finished the look off with diamanté and nude satin "Ruthe" shoes from Aldo!

Myself wearing Red signature stretch satin dress (DP156) with Stripe mini box bag (GL217), both Karen Millen finished off with diamanté and nude satin "Ruthe" shoes from Aldo.

Photograph of myself taken by Kerrie Mann.

The show itself, featured fashion trends from House of Fraser’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection and was styled by their personal shopper Jemma Cousins. An explosion of colour, from neon pinks and orange, right through to pops of turquoise and pretty nudes, the glamorous models from Tracey Hall's Style Academy showed audience members just how wearable these trends are! Layer up neons throughout the outfit to create a show stopping look, or add a pop of colour with a neon jacket, or accessory to bring an outfit up to date! A personal favourite of mine was the Turquoise mini leather patent tote (GQ154) from Karen Millen, which I might just treat myself to!!

Florals were given a modern twist in neon colours and Ted Baker's floral print could be seen emblazoned on dresses, swimsuits, Mac's and bags, giving the trend a young and fresh look! Stand out for me being Ted Baker's striking floral Mac! The perfect way to stay stylish in our rather wet weather! While at the other end of the spectrum, the monochrome trend was out in force for anyone not brave enough to work the neons!

Candy cane hues of pinks yellows and creams captured the mood of girly, yet sophisticated looks, in unstructured flowing dresses which made me long for the good weather to make an appearance!

The stunning models from Tracey Hall’s Style Academy models were prepared for the catwalk by the talents of the Peter Mark hair team, Crème de la Mer beauticians and award-winning make-up artist Paddy McGurgan, who's work I've been a fan of for years and is honestly a genius with a make up brush!

A hugely enjoyable evening, I was so pleased to have been a small part of such a fantastic event and I sincerely hope Action Mental Health make "Style at Stormont" an annual event!

Unless otherwise stated all photographs taken, and kindly provided by Stephen Potter.

"Spring Made Stylish" this Easter in Lurgan & Portadown!

Emerging Creative Talent to Bring a Touch of Style, Music & Glamour to Stormont - Unify Fashion Showcase!!

In Conversation with The George at Asda Design Team as they open WestCoast Cooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK SS'13 in Style!

A celebration of Millinery at it's very best, HATWALK 2013 is coming!!

In conversation with West Coast Cooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK Director Cathy Martin.

A very stylish night at Action Mental Health's "Style at Stormont"!

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