West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK returned for its twentieth season and with it came the biggest and busiest schedule yet. With four catwalk shows, a Body Image Symposium, the Fashion Souk as well as the stylish Sushi Saturday and Style Sunday, all events were a runaway success.
FASHIONWEEK Director Cathy Martin said: “It has been another exciting season for Belfast FASHIONWEEK, with a series of interesting and innovative events packed into a busy five day schedule. More importantly for our fashion fans, there was also some truly stunning fashion.”
The catwalk came alive with a whole host of fabulous trends, including winter brights, Victoriana noir and tweed amongst many others.
Cathy added: “Audiences witnessed the very best from our independent boutiques, local designers and high-street stores - from evening gowns to day wear and jewellery to hats, there was no better place to get a one-stop fashion fix.”
Models walked at four catwalk shows - local designers/independent boutiques, menswear, high street and designer - showcasing the latest trends and fashion must haves for autumn/winter. Here are just three key looks that fashionistas everywhere are stocking their wardrobes with.
Faux Fur
Both a daytime look and a failsafe way to add a touch of glamour to an evening outfit, faux fur is one of the most versatile and easy ways to update your wardrobe this autumn/winter. Not to mention that as the temperatures dip, it’s one of the most fashionable ways to stay snug.
However faux fur, doesn’t always have to be black and brown as models at Fashionweek showed us so effortlessly. Shades of burgundy, dusky pink and cream make faux fur perfect for casual Saturday shopping right through to a cinema date or a formal event.
Victorian Noir
Just in time for Halloween, but perfect right through to Christmas and beyond, the Victorian Noir look exudes elegance and unparalleled glamour. Cara Delevingne, Lily-Rose Depp and Lily Collins are just a handful of celebrities that have nailed this trend recently. And with gothic inspired, Crimson Peak just released in cinemas, this is no doubt a look set to stay around for a long time. Accessorise a timeless black coat or dress with lace or leather gloves for a really fuss-free look and finish with a sultry red or bold plum coloured lip.
Winter Brights
Although those hazy summer days seem like a distant memory, autumn and winter doesn’t necessarily mean that your wardrobe should be confined to berry, brown and black shades. Inject some colour into your daytime look with a bold coat - the catwalk at Fashionweek was awash with blues, tomato reds and pinks to name just a few.
Or for your Christmas party, steer clear of plain blacks and glittery golds with shades of cerise and bright reds.
And not forgetting the guys who can easily team chinos with a more vibrant woollen sweater to add a much welcome touch of colour and personality as the long nights draw in.
Win a beauty hamper
While West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK’s retailers and designers set the style standards for this season, the event’s hair and beauty sponsors - ALFAPARF Milano, Oonagh Boman School of Make Up (using Senna Cosmetics and Domina Skincare) and Selfie Tan - were also on hand helping to keep up appearances.
This fantastic trio not only ensured that the models were catwalk ready at all times, but also provided guests with products to take away and indulge in at home. However for those of you who weren’t lucky enough to attend one of the shows, worry not, as Belfast FASHIONWEEK has a fabulous prize giveaway of a BFW beauty hamper for one lucky WomenTalk reader. To enter please visit the official BFW Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/belfastfashionweek and comment on the beauty and hair post pinned to the top of the page answering the following question:
Q. How many seasons has Belfast FASHIONWEEK celebrated this Autumn Winter 2015?
A) 15
B) 20
C) 25
Closing date for entries is Friday October 30.
