In the midst of London Fashion Week last September, myself & Amelia left the buzz of Somerset House behind, hopped on the train to Brighton and attended the Fashion Sussex Awards. Having sponsored the Best Male & Female Ambassadors Awards, we were keen to find out the winners and mingle with up and coming local fashion stars.
In a small, intimate gathering the winners were announced and there was a tie in both the female and male categories. Gresham Blake and Igor Srzic Cartledge won Best Male Ambassador whilst Liz Bishop and Jane Busby tied in Best Female Ambassador.
Brighton Fashion Week
Fast forward a few months and I headed back to Brighton to catch up with Liz Bishop over a coffee and learn more about how she is involved in the world of fashion. Liz is the face and the brains behind Brighton Fashion Week and it was an honour to meet her and find out about the history of the event and where she wants to take Brighton Fashion Week in the future.
Image courtesy of Brighton Fashion Week
History and Future
Liz started fashion events with a catwalk show for a friend who was an aspiring designer, it took off, more designers got involved and eventually Brighton Fashion Weekend was born. After five years of Fashion Weekends, the event was so successful that it ran to a full week and here it lies ready and waiting this year, Monday 28 May – Sunday 3rd June.
Image courtesy of Brighton Fashion Week
Liz sees Brighton Fashion Week as the gap between Graduate Fashion Week, Vauxhall Fashion Scout and London Fashion Week. With it being so hard and expensive to get a catwalk show space at the larger events, BFW provides a stepping stone for designers, the chance of some great PR and also to provide great photographs of the designs being worn, to showcase to prospective buyers and the press.
Brighton Fashion Week is not just about walking up and down the catwalk. The shows are theatrical and memorable and that is what keeps the crowds, press and buyers coming year after year. June is good timing for BFW as Liz admits, she’s not one to “follow trends”, by having BFW outside the Fashion Week Schedule it gets noticed more and there is no competing with the other fashion weeks. Liz explained that, “We want to be respected as part of the worldwide fashion calendar”, and the emphasis is on up and coming designers and nurturing their talents by providing support and facilities to showcase their work. Brighton Fashion Week is not just about Brighton, it has an international feel with designers hailing from around the world such as Alexei Izmaylov and Evi Manousaki . For the future there is thought of more Couture shows, a Vows Event for Weddings and Civil Partnership fashion as well as focusing on Eco Fashion.
“Our objectives are simple: To provide a platform for talented and up and coming designers by promoting, developing and supporting their growth. Designers who showcase at Brighton Fashion Week gain invaluable experience and are provided with an opportunity for further progression within the industry.”
Couture Fashion: Image courtesy of Brighton Fashion Week
Brighton Fashion Week 2012
BFW 2012 will be held across various venues in Brighton. This year sees the addition of two day Ready To Wear shows and shopping opportunities on the 2nd and 3rd of June at the Brighton Corn Exchange.
Liz recently announced the Face of Brighton Fashion Week 2012 – Betsy Panel described on the BFW Blog as “Edgy, defiant, a priceless diamond in the rough operating on laidback, bohemian “sea side time”. She’s a dyed platinum blonde with black roots and a sharp jawline that could cut titanium”, learn more about her here.
Key Events
- Brighton Frocks Runway Show – 30th May – All Saints Church, Hove
It’s no secret that Brighton is known as a playfully decadent venue for the “Dirty Weekend”. In fact, Brightonians embrace their reputation as a cosmopolitan,forward-thinking, and socially aware enclave for kindred spirits of the counter culture. It is reflected in it’s avant garde sensibility towards arts, lifestyle, music, politics, and social issues. In celebration of this, BFW 2012 presents Brighton Frocks, a playground for alternative and costume designers who want to make a splash, show-off and have a bit of fun. Last year saw designers such as Charlotte Appleby, Katie Newsam, Red Mutha and I am Ralph grace the catwalks.
- Zeitgeist Show – Thursday 31st May - All Saints Church, Hove
Unquestionably the design pinnacle of the week, Zeitgeist couples stylish sophistication, elegant lines, immaculate tailoring and luxurious fabrics with pioneering style aesthetic. Innovative an contemporary designs will be showcased on a classic runway for a cost that is very competitive in the industry. Last year saw designers such as Edward Finney, Tim Rhys Evans, Jess Eaton and Masato, Studio_805 grace the Zeitgeist catwalk.
Theatrical Style: Image courtesy of Brighton Fashion Week
- The Ready to Wear Show - Saturday 2nd June & Sunday 3rd June – Brighton Corn Exchange
The Ready to Wear Show is a two day exhibition of boutique, high street, independent designers, vintage clothing and accessories catering for both men and women. This is a stellar opportunity for designers and stockists to showcase their ability, demonstrate sustainable business acumen, and give the public a chance to purchase their collections hot off the runway. Whether for personal or retail use, research shows people are more likely to buy clothes after seeing them live, in action, on the runway. Previous years saw clothes from the likes of Another 7th Day, Playsuit Parlour and Tramp Boutique stroll down the runway, then fly off the rack.
There will also be Installations, Presentations and other events occurring between May 28th and June red so make sure you keep an eye on the Brighton Fashion Week website for more details and ticket opportunities.
Designers wishing to contact the team about Brighton Fashion Week should do so via email [email protected]
We look forward to seeing the fabulous fashion shows and meeting some great new designers at Brighton Fashion Week this year. Watch this space as we report back in June.
