Fashion Fans flock to the Fitzwilliam for the Launch of West CoastCooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK AW13!
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
We all have heard of the company Apple, and their many devoted "Fan Boys"! Well I have a confession to make.........I'm a self confessed West Coast Cooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK "Fan Girl"!!
Now in it's sixteenth season, I have found myself in attendance at most of them and rarely missed a season! FASHIONWEEK was my first ever catwalk show, and since then I've been totally hooked!! Over the years i've seen FASHIONWEEK grow from strength to strength and seen it in it's many homes, from the Potthouse, to Baby Grand, the Europa and even the City Hall, to name but a few, and most recently the iconic Ulster Museum building!
For me, FASHIONWEEK will always hold a special place in my heart and is my favourite time of year, I can think of no better way to take in the season's hottest fashion trends than from it's ever fashionable FROW! It was therefore with tremendous excitement that I headed off with fellow fashion fans to attend the FASHIONWEEK AW'13 Media Launch in the Fitzwilliam Hotel!
West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK Director Cathy Marin and fellow models looking pretty in pink!
Photograph by Stephen Potter.
This year FASHIONWEEK will be running from 10th-13th October and promises to be one of the best yet, with a jam packed schedule of events running across various locations. The brunch launch event showcased a selection of looks from participant retailers and designers while director Cathy Martin outlined key looks for the season ahead from Ireland’s favourite fashion event. From winter blues to lace, sumptuous leathers, tartans and Christmas reds! However the standout trend was girly pinks, with many of the country's top fashionista's at the launch sporting the trend (including FASHIONWEEK Director Cathy Martin), while yours truly went for winter blues in a Karen Millen cobalt blue knit snake texture dress (snakeskin is also a top trend for AW13, especially in accessories!)
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Pictured at the Launch of West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK were models Kellyanne wearing red jumpsuit from Next worn with Nor Lisa Scarf as belt; Carys wearing red lace dress from Oasis with Gráinne Maher headpiece & cuff and Finola wearing luxe red evening gown by local designer Shauna Fay.
Photograph by Stephen Potter.
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Karen Anderson, brand manager for West Coast Cooler, which sponsors the events said: “The winter months can always be a bit gloomy, but at West Coast Cooler we believe that your winter wardrobe doesn’t have to be gloomy too, so I’m looking forward to another fast-paced and exciting autumn/winter FASHIONWEEK.”
Cathy Martin, director of FASHIONWEEK added: “We have a very busy schedule this season – and we have teamed up with Belfast City Council’s Restaurant Week to share some events, which is great for the city as a whole – but ideal for foodies and fashionistas.
“I can’t deny that it is a difficult time for many of our retailers, particularly independently owned stores, but West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK allows designers, retailers and fashionistas to come together and celebrate all things fashion. It’s a great marketing tool for retailers, and our fashion hungry audiences certainly love it!”
She added: “In terms of trends to look out for this season, the key colours and patterns include deep reds and burgundy, pale pink hues, plaid and leopard print. Texture is important too and we can expect to see leather, velvet, lace and chiffon as well as lots of embellishments. As for shapes, design and cut - the turtleneck and polo neck are both back, and new this season are sexy thigh high splits on skirts and dresses as well as large oversized coats and capes.”
Stand out for me was a butter soft Marc Jacobs leather dress from CRUISE and the high impact look of a gold metallic leather skirt and mustard polo neck combo from Mexx. Whilst the girly side of me adored the super cute and girly pretty in pink look from Liberty Blue and Una Rodden's stunning designs who never fails to amaze every season!
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Model Sarah in a Marc Jacobs leather dress & Alexander McQueen gold skull cuff - all from CRUISE.
Photograph by Stephen Potter.
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Model Ruta in a gold leather skirt & mustard gold polo from MEXX worn with Melanie Bond Necklace.
Photograph by Stephen Potter.
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Model Meagan in a pink dress by Liberty blue & local designer Susan Black necklace.
Photograph by Stephen Potter.
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Of course the question you're all asking is what can we expect form this year's shows? Well as always we will have high impact catwalk show's which are once again returning to the iconic Ulster Museum. Showcasing the very best of N.I's Designer Boutiques, as well as the ever popular High Street Heaven show and last but not least our hugely talented Northern Irish designer's show also feat. the Diet Coke Design Award finalists!
New to FASHIONWEEK's schedule is the Fashion Friday lunch demo at James Street South, coinciding with this year's Restaurant Week, along with a private FASHIONWEEK cocktail party at the Fitzwilliam Hotel: "FASHIONWEEK at the Fitz!" On Saturday fashionistas will have the opportunity to pick up a vintage treasure at the Fashion Souk, while all us designer junkies will have the chance to view the latest designer delights from CRUISE at the Fashion Tea in the opulent Merchant Hotel! This year Style Sunday, an event I rarely miss has moved to SHU Restaurant and will include a four course gourmet meal, mini fashion show and advice from the country's top style experts!!
It was fantastic to attend the launch event for this season's FASHIONWEEK, and lovely to catch up with all my friends on the day, as well as people watching to see what fantastic outfits my fellow fashionista's were wearing!! (Watch out for my upcoming "Style Watch" on Belfast Times from the launch!)
I of course was wearing my favourite brand, Karen Millen!! Blue is one of the colours carrying through to next season, so I decided to wear my snake texture knit dress (KQ136), as with it's 3D effect snake texture I was hitting two major trends! This body con design works perfectly with my petite frame, and is one of those dresses I always feel great in! Following the texture trend through I accessorized with a fantastic statement necklace from MIMCO. Their "Wilderness Drape Necklace" combines thick silk cord, chain mail and gold and silver textured leaves, giving my ensemble a welcome autumnal feel! My metallic leather buckle cuff (ZQ014) tied in perfectly with colour palette of my necklace, and as a girl who loves her skyscraper heels, I went for my super high "Beano" platform sandals from Dune! My handbag was another one of my personal favourites, my blue ostrich bag (GJ174), again from my beloved Karen Millen!
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Wearing Snake texture knit dress (KQ136), Buckle cuff (ZQ014 - Ltd Edition this version not made available to purchase) & Small ostrich bag (GJ174) all from Karen Millen. "Wilderness Drape Necklace" from MIMCO with "Beano" platform sandals from Dune!
Photograph by Brendan Gallagher.
Photograph by Alwyn Spence.
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Check below for the full show schedule. Further details about it and the Diet Coke design competition are all available online at www.belfastfashionweek.com Catwalk tickets, which cost £20 (or £25 for a limited number of exclusive front row seats), are available from the Belfast Welcome Centre on 028 9024 6609 or via the website. Ticket price includes a fabulous goodie bag and a refreshing West Coast Cooler.
West Coast Cooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK Full Show Schedule:
Thursday 10 October 8pm, Designer Boutiques show.
Friday 11 October – Fashion Friday Lunch demo – James Street South Restaurant.
Friday 11 October 6-8pm Fashionweek at the Fitz! Private cocktail party with prizes up for grabs TBC.
Friday 11 October 8pm High Street Fashion Show, Ulster Museum.
Friday 11 October 6-8pm Fashionweek at the Fitz! Private cocktail party with prizes up for grabs TBC.
Friday 11 October 8pm High Street Fashion Show, Ulster Museum.
Saturday 12 October 10am - 2pm – Fashion Souk at Spire’s Mall.
Saturday 12 October 2pm – Fashion Tea, CRUISE designer emporium at The Merchant, showcasing Victoria Beckham, Armani, Vivienne Westwood, Marchesa etc
Saturday 12 October 8pm NI Designers show and winner announcement of the Diet Coke Design Award, Ulster Museum.
Saturday 12 October 2pm – Fashion Tea, CRUISE designer emporium at The Merchant, showcasing Victoria Beckham, Armani, Vivienne Westwood, Marchesa etc
Saturday 12 October 8pm NI Designers show and winner announcement of the Diet Coke Design Award, Ulster Museum.
Sunday 13 October 1pm – 5pm Style Sunday, SHU Belfast.
Massive thanks to CMPR for my launch invite & to Lisa Bell at CMPR for providing the Press Release & selected imagery.
Images very kindly taken and provided by Stephen Potter, Alwyn Spence and Brendan Gallagher.
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