So anyway arrived in one piece and fairly dry...The evening was hosted by the exuberant Julian Bennett from the British version of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and of course his 'sausage' (dog) Lulu - who by the way is adorable and such a professional - didn't pee on the catwalk - always a good start!
The venue it's self was gorgeous - loads of cornicing. There was seated, standing and VIP sections - I think I was quite lucky as I managed to get a seat right at the front of the catwalk!!Once Julian had warmed up the crowed the first act to perform was a dance group called funk fatelle. A group of six girls who did an interesting mix of body popping and Hip Hop.
Was really enjoyable and a great way to start the evening... I had no idea what else was going to be in store!!The first fashions to hit the catwalk were from Guess - They also suited and booted Julian's first outfit of the evening. It was a really nice performance. The models came on to the catwalk from the end closest to the audience and there were three groups of models (two couples of boy and girl and a threesome of one boy and two girls) They all acted like they were at a club and were having a great time. It was a mix of casual and evening wear and I really liked the performance.
I really liked the fuchsia dress. It had a photographic building print that really caught my eye.
The next collection to appear on the catwalk was The Clifton Vintage Boutique. The clothing was supported by Sarah Walklett who sang 'Aint No Other Man' and boy did she have a pair of lungs on here! She was amazing!
Fielding and Nicholson offered a great collection of Tailoring for men. Loved the features of the double button and bright linings.A very stylish suit and evening wear collection came next with Louis and Josh singing with acoustic guitar - They had been at the press evening. The collection was Amanda Wakely and my favorite pieces were two dresses worn by twins. One was silver and the other purple and they had a very Grecian feel to them. Floaty pleating and sailor knotted rope at their waist.
Really elegant and the models were a good choice!Gilly Woo's collection took to the stage with a very talented ballet dancer! - Who was only 13! She was mesmerising. The collection was corsets and frills. My favorites were a periwinkle blue see through dress and a sky blue corset with white and yellow detailing and bows, it reminded me of pottery. But Gosh those Waists!!!! Those corsets were proper corsets that pulled them in or they just had the tiniest waists I have ever seen!
Unfortunately this is the only in focus photograph I got of Gilly Woo's collection... I must try and sweet talk a photographer and try and get some better pictures to show you!!The Rapper Genetic then took to the stage. A really different style music to the previous act. The clothing shown was from our very own Motel! Their new cadge backs were a feature.
During the interval the very talented Amy Evans sang with a back of why the show and everyone was there. The whole event was a charity show to raise money for The Variety Club who does amazing work for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children.
Amy won a singing competition and had an amazing voice, it was really pure and worked well with the slide show (even though there were a few tiny technical difficulties)Still a wonderful performance.The second half opened with a bang! A trio of street walkers called Team South Blessed did an amazing performance of stunts and flips - and all staying on the catwalk, at some points I was sure they would fall off it!
The next collection was by Henry Hunt... Coming from a private school myself it was all very familiar... The hunting jackets with hoodies, school style skirts. It was a sweet collection and very very sloanie!
Vixy Designs were really interesting. They were heavily worked into with machine embroidery, random objects and graffiti. I got an element of recycled fashion mixed with street wear and also wales as inspirations. They walked down the catwalk to a trio called Base 6.
The next thing to grace the catwalk was ahem barely there... A company called Lick and their range of underwear for men... The room defiantly perked up and I have to say I was unsure where to look... But for your curiosity here is a picture....enjoy! hehe!!
In case you are interested spiders and spider webs were a feature along with the union jack with bright pink and blue...The next collection is one of my favorites (no bias here even though I have met the designer)The collection had a wonderful mix of fairytale and fantasy which I really enjoy in fashion. I think it is important to have a fantasy element and even a storyline - it doesn't always have to be wearable it is about imagination. Anyway this gorgeous collection in white hues, bronzes and floaty fabrics. It was obviously a fashion fairytale with princes and princesses, the ballet dancer was back and I loved the flower bikinis with gauze capes. I will be doing a separate blog post on Charlie Critchley Crozier the creator of Amour Fou so watch this space...
Colonel Mustard was another menswear collection, but with Men actually IN clothes! A great mix of casual and smart. Julian was wearing Colonel Mustard as part of his second half outfit.Puckoo Couture made for a brilliant finale! Bright leotards, women on stilts and a rather dark sexual edge... The women on stilts were fantastic and looked like tropical birds.
It was a really successful evening and I hope lots of money was raised! Well done to Miss Bristol and Tyrone Jones for creating such an enjoyable event. I really enjoyed the mix of fashion, dance and music it was really great!
Also thank you for the lovely goody bag - the cake was delicious!
Best WishesFashion Fantasist xx
