Belfast’s iconic West Coast Cooler Fashion Week is set to feature a fun mixture of head-turning looks this AW.
Expect to see all things bold, glittery and plush as this week’s launch show at the luxurious Bullitt Hotel was all about stand-out colours and eye-catching textures.
With the runways returning to the city from October 26-29 at a new home in St Anne’s Cathedral, the weekend will also bring back staple events Sushi Saturday and Style Sunday.
An ‘F Words’ brunch will also debut on the rooftop of Bullitt with speakers including Tiffany Brien, Kim Constable, Maria Rafferty and ‘Gluten Free Fi’ talking all things ‘Fashion, Fitness, Food and being Female’.
The 3 key AW looks are:
1. Beautiful, bold reds
From fiery red shades like those modelled by Gigi Hadid at MaxMara, to deep, wintery burgundy showcased at Burberry – the international shows proved influential at this week’s launch.
Whether it’s a striking standalone dress, a matching co-ord or an innovative combination of contrasting shades to create a statement look, red sure is the ‘it’ colour of the season.
2. Futuristic fun
If you own anything metallic, sequinned or glittery, you will want to dig them out for this season, as the launch showed that silver, shine and sparkles are not just limited to evening wear (and when it was, it was go big or go home).
To make the most of this trend, the style team creatively paired statement pieces with sporty flats and complimentary colours for a more wearable, daytime look. For going out, show-stopping pieces were teamed with bright, adventurous colours to flaunt a more playful side.
3. Soft & gentle
This true blessing of a trend is the socially acceptable answer for when you just want to wear your cosy pyjamas all day. The catwalk saw a variation of wispy feathers, lavish velvet and cuddly shearling to demonstrate the perfect balance of comfy chic.
From coats to dresses, soft-to-touch textures were a huge talking point at the launch, and will be prevalent in the coming months no matter how casual or classy the event.
Director Cathy Martin is excited to see the local fashion scene embrace the upcoming trends. “I’m looking forward to seeing local retailers and designers showing off all the colours, silhouettes and textures which we saw at the international shows.
“We always try to make our shows a true example of fashion theatre. And as people move towards more experiential activities, our events allow them to really engage with fashion first hand.”
With the launch showcasing a blend of talented local designers, high street heroes and big-name brands, there really is something for everyone.
Several resident boutiques including Ruby 67, Cameo, Lisa’s Attic, In Chlomo. Jourdan, Blush and Spoilt Belle will all feature on the runway.
Designers Angela Sloan and AKANI are among newcomers on the local design radar.
Collections from the high street will include Victoria Square’s Boux Avenue and Debenhams’ Designer showcase, including some special pieces from Julien McDonald, Henry Holland and John Rocha.
From the more affordable end of the high street, brands such as George at ASDA, Topshop, Zara, ASOS and Boohoo will appear among others.
Schedule of shows:
Thursday October 26
Boutiques and Local Designers – 8.00pm
Friday October 27
High Street – 8.00pm
Saturday October 28
The F Words – Fashion, Fitness & Food Brunch with Tiffany Brien, Kim Constable, Maria Rafferty ‘The Hormone Health Coach’ and ‘Gluten Free Fi’ at Bullitt Hotel (£29pp)– 10.00am-midday
Sushi Saturday ‘The Director’s Cut’ at Zen (£35pp)– 2.00-5.00pm
Sunday October 29
Style Sunday in support of Action Cancer at James Street South (£45pp)– 2.00-5.00pm
Catwalk tickets are priced at £20 or £30 for FROW and are available from the Belfast Welcome Centre on 028 9024 6609 or via links on www.belfastfashionweek.com. Sushi Saturday and Style Sunday can be booked directly with the Fashion Week team at 02890421509.