One of the things I have always felt passionate about is supporting local design talent! The High Street is perfect for fast fashion, but if you're on the lookout for something more individual and unique the best way to find it is to buy from lesser known, independent and emerging designers.

While I'm in a lucky position as a blogger to be exposed to many emerging and up and coming designers, many individuals don't have that opportunity, but fear not as that's all about to change with the opening of Gráinne Maher's Fashion Vault in Spires Mall, Belfast! Milliner and award winning accessories designer Gráinne Maher opened the doors to her first permanent retail outlet last week for a very special preview event for friends, media, bloggers, and fashion fanatics!

It was such a fun evening catching up with Gráinne and my fellow fashion friends over drinks and checking out all of the fantastic pieces on display, for anyone obsessed with fashion it's a true treasure trove of fashion delights!

For any lovers of unusual arm candy there is a selection of funky handbags from Larissa Hadjio, and I was captivated by the hand crafted appliqué necklaces from Manley! What can I say, I'm a girl who can't resist a good accessory!

Rio/Brazil are another favourite of mine, they pride themselves on providing customers with wardrobe staples made from the finest quality fabrics and cut! On the catwalk the looks were all about layering and a play on textures, showing us how to stay warm but with a fashionable edge! I do love the luxe feel of fur and I fell in love with their beige fur trim poncho from Reno and Pelle, finished off with a fur hat! Of course as you all know I'm a total sucker for an evening dress and I loved this winter pink sequin dress finished off with a cute and sassy pink fur cape!

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!