Last week seen the launch of the West Coast Cooler Fashionweek Autumn/Winter 18 season in the stunning location of the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast.
On arrival we where met by CMPR’s gorgeous models in an array of bold colours and I just knew we where in for an incredible show.
This coming season bold colours, florals and animal prints dominate the inspiration taken from the international catwalks and I am beyond excited for the main shows which kick off on Friday 19th October at St Anne’s Cathedral. Tickets available from – here –
Below are just some of my favourite looks from the press launch and some behind the scenes pics. Are you as excited as I am!!!!
ASOS green floral print dress £75; River Island floral print kimono blazer £65 & matching trousers £40
Joy wears ASOS light blue blazer £55; ASOS matching light blue trousers £35
Ellen wears M&S purple coat £119; M&S purple trousers £45; M&S purple satin blouse £35; Leonora Ferguson electric blue small headpiece £170
ASOS blazer & trousers as before
Sophie wears Equise pink top with button up back £106; Equise pink trousers £98, BLUSH with George at Asda pink coat £35
Veronika wears Mango yellow coat £119.99; River Island dark yellow dress £46; Leonora Ferguson yellow headpiece £170
Adriana wears ASOS yellow blazer dress with black buttons £35
Alex wears Topshop orange blazer £49; Topshop orange trousers £30
Alex wears Stradivarius red tartan trouser suit (trouser £19.99 & jacket £25.99) plus bumbag £15.99
Ellen wearing a George at Asda Western Blouse, £16; New Look checked trouser suit (trousers £22.99 & jacket £32.99) with Stradivarius checked trench £69.99
Joy wears M&S navy & white check suit (blazer £59 & trousers £39.50); ASOS checked trench £80
ASOS floral dress as before
Lucie wears ASOS green pink and red floral print dress with zebra print £40
New Look checked trouser suit as before
M&S green maxi dress £45; Kate Fearnley gold jacket (stylists own)
Joy wears Topshop leopard print jumpsuit £42; Lost Ink leopard print coat £85
Adriana wears Lilly and Lionel leopard print maxi dress £175 (ASOS)
Alex wears New Look zebra print tie waist maxi dress £24.99
Alex wears Zara multi coloured pattern tie waist dress £69.99
Maria wears Boux Avenue green palm print leggings £24; Boux Avenue matching mesh crop top £20; River Island green sunglasses £16
Adriana wears Primark orange jumper £10; Zara check skirt, £49.99
With Gillian @Eyelinkerflicks, Emma @Scientistinthecity, Liz @beautyfashionchitchat, Lisa Rainey; me wearing leopard print jumper from Primark £10; some of the gorgeous prints featured in the show
Guests mingle including Katie @katieandrewtheblog; backstage models in hair and makeup
Stunning Fashionweek Director Cathy Martin in Weekend MaxMara
Cathy Martin about to kick off the proceedings; a refreshing welcome drink courtesy of West Coast Cooler who are the official sponsors of Belfast Fashion Week and our amazing goodie bags
The iconic WCCFW sign
This season, the main runway event will take place at St. Anne’s Cathedral on Friday 19 October and style proceedings will continue with some fashionable fringe events including the popular Sushi Saturday at Asian eatery Zen as well as the Action Cancer charity fundraiser ‘Style Sunday’ in the restaurant of the stunning Fitzwilliam Hotel. New this season is a deluxe MaxMara Weekend brunch at Café Parisien with chauffeur-driven cars to the store afterwards for an in-store event.
Paul Meekin Hair in partnership with ghd Hair has joined forces with FASHIONWEEK this season to oversee styling at all shows in October. Also returning to FASHIONWEEK will be award-winning make up artist Oonagh Boman, who celebrates twenty years in business this year. Her make up brand SENNA cosmetics will be used on the models at all shows, and together with Paul, the creative team will be taking inspiration from the international catwalks to create a mixture of exciting looks to enhance the fashion on show.
Both Oonagh and Paul will also host a modern make up and hair masterclass at the flagship ‘Style Sunday’ event on 21 October in aid of Action Cancer. The sumptuous style luncheon will showcase top stylist picks from Blush Belfast whilst lingerie retailer Boux Avenue will talk guests through how to dress any shape from the inside out!
But before the main shows in October, FASHIONWEEK has also teamed up with Belfast ONE to deliver a day of free outdoor fashion and beauty pop ups in Arthur Street on 13 September. The event, which is called STREET STYLE BELFAST, will see retailers from across the city showcase their collections in a fun day celebrating style in the city.
Speaking about this season’s key trends, FASHIONWEEK Director Cathy Martin commented: “This season there is a focus on texture as fabrics in burnt oranges and mustards take the shape of chunky, over-sized knits layered over pretty pleated dresses as seen at Balenciaga. “High-shine fabrics are also key with updated trench coats in glossy and metallic finishes. Think 1980s in terms of colour and finish. Staying in that decade, Chanel showed off power dressing at its shows and the high street has followed suit with bold trouser suits in strong colours.
“There will also be lots of print clashes as feminine florals marry with checks and stripes to give a whole new meaning to the term bohemian chic – with splashes of fringing, Western style!”
As well as the usual complimentary West Coast Cooler at every show, guests can also enjoy beauty, food and designer popups as Belfast FASHIONWEEK creates the ultimate experience for the audience; “In an overlapping world that constantly blends experiences, we want to make our shows bring a little bit of fashion theatre. We want to show the playful side to fashion where guests can feel effortlessly confident.” commented Cathy Martin.
But rounding up the launch event, Cathy took some time to get serious about fashion and retail here in light of recent events. “Retail is a massive employer in Northern Ireland and fashion stores form a key part of our city landscape, but it is suffering many blows of late. We cannot fail to mention the Primark fire this week and its devastating effect on employees there as well as in surrounding businesses, so I would urge people to enjoy the city and shop local if they are making shopping purchases in the coming weeks and months.”
Ticket and Schedule info
Tickets are available to purchase at Visit Belfast on 02890246609 or online via the links at www.belfastfashionweek.com
For reserved seats, corporate orders and groups of four or more, the BFW team can take direct bookings – just call 02890421509 or email [email protected].
*photo credits Stephen Potter, Paul Ormonde, Brendan Gallagher
