Cheltenham Fashion Week 2012

September 7, 2012
By: Alexandra Crisp

A very special event will be taking place in the heart of The Cotswolds for the first time ever this season to celebrate the very best of fashion and talent that exists within the stylish district. We’re talking about Cheltenham Fashion Week 2012.

Making its debut in a weeklong event running from 17 – 21 September, the Fashion Week will transform The Cotswolds into the creative fashion capital of the South West offering a creative mixture of both style and engaging activities such as: workshops, career seminars, catwalk shows and designer shopping events. Cheltenham Fashon Week promises something for everyone. From fashionistas to aspiring designers, this event is aimed at people of all ages who share one thing in common: a love of fashion.

The fashion event is aimed at fashion lovers of all ages, incorporating a student element that invites young people from primary school to post-graduate level the chance to showcase their designs in two Student Shows that will be taking place. The shows aim to provide a platform for aspiring designers to have their work seen by top fashion industry professionals, in particular fashion designer George Davies, creator of George at Asda and Per Una at Marks & Spencer, who will be on the lookout for fresh talent.

In addition to the student factor of Cheltenham Fashion Week, the event also offers a couture experience for any individual who appreciates designer fashion, with high-end shopping days and talks from some of the industry’s best names. Forget London, Paris, New York and Milan, Cheltenham is the latest fashion destination to visit!

Key events in Cheltenham Fashion Week include:

Sessions with top fashion icons and retail gurus

TV’s Caryn Franklin will be talking about her fashion initiative “All Walks Beyond The Catwalk” – a campaign to celebrate body diversity. Meanwhile Sarah Curran, founder of global online retailer my- wardrobe.com, will be discussing her inspiration, challenges and passion for the fashion industry.

Student Catwalk Shows - Gloucestershire College Tuesday 18 September 

In association with retail icon George Davies and schools from across Gloucestershire, this high profile Student Show will showcase young talented designers aged 7 to 16.

“Boutique 24″ – Cowley Manor Thursday 20 September

Cowley Manor will play host to 24 different designers as the hotel transforms into a stylish replica of London Fashion Week’s Somerset House. Each room will become a pop-up designer boutique from a diverse plethora of retailers with a range of styling and beauty workshops also taking place. Some of the brands included will be my-wardrobe.com, Burberry, Jo Loves, Harvey Nichols, OnePiece and many more!

“One Night Only” – Cowley Manor Thursday 20 September

A VIP evening of fine dining and glamorous fashion plus a couture fashion show in aid of The Cheltenham Fashion Week Official Charity, Hop Skip and Jump.

Careers seminars

These events are aimed at young people with the desire to get into the fashion industry. Brides Magazine ‘Designer of the Year’ Tracy Connop will be sharing her experience of the industry at an event at Gloucestershire College. National fashion journalist Sarah-Hayley Owen will also be talking about the highs and lows of working within the fashion media.

Other events include:

eBay Workshops with experts from Intranet Future

Chic Wardrobe Sale – an event for people to sell their pre-loved clothes

Who wants to be a Milliner? – a live hat making competition

Mobile Photography: Street Style competition

Design Your Own Shoes competition

Tickets for all Cheltenham Fashion Week events will be available to purchase from 29 June online at www.cheltenhamfashionweek.co.uk, by phone on 0844 8808094 or from the Cheltenham Festival Box Office on the first floor of the Regent Arcade, Cheltenham.

In addition to the fabulous main events that will be taking place throughout the week, Cheltenham Fashion Week has been making its presence across The Cotswolds even more known with their Giant Shoe Tour that has taken the district by storm. The 10ft high by 12ft long fuchsia pink stiletto has been touring iconic locations in and around Cheltenham, and has even been spotted with some top name celebrities.

Big names such as Dr. Dawn Harper from Channel 4′s Embarrassing Bodies, Loose Women’s Lisa Maxwell and George at Asda designer and Next founder George Davies have all been photographed by the shoe, adding to the already amazing buzz surrounding the Fashion Week.

 

If you live in the Gloucestershire area be sure to keep an eye out for the unmissable giant stiletto. People who tweet their pictures of the shoe will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win 4 tickets to the CFW ‘Boutique 24′ shopping day event.

To see the Giant Shoe Tour in action, check out the video below, courtesy of Silver Ball PR.