Lifestyle editor MAXINE GORDON reports from the front row of Fashion City York’s first catwalk show.

IT was standing room only as fashion lovers flocked to the Guildhall to see York on the catwalk. Fabulous outfits from the latest collections of leading city-centre stores were on show as models strutted their stuff in the historic building on Saturday night.

Collections from Browns and Fenwick’s were showcased alongside the latest looks from high-street favourites such as Oasis, Coast, Zara, Joy, Jigsaw, Wallis, East, Levis, LK Bennett and Ghost.

Independents and up-and-coming designers also featured in the two-and-a-half-hour show, including ethical fashion from One, Grape Lane, York, and Bunty, the trendy boutique in Pocklington.

Knitwear from Bill Baber in Micklegate and designs from Kelly Ewing wowed the audience too.

Kelly’s white dress with Union Flag details and mini Union Flag top hat was a topical choice, given the pending nuptials of Wills and Kate.

But it was Miss York hopeful Anastasia Smith, 20, from Malton, who stole the show in a full-length silver Hugo Boss dress from Fenwick’s. You too could look like a movie star for £650.

Statement lingerie from Elizabeth Wells turned heads, particularly the black corset with netting skirt, and young Barnsley designer Kellyann Garforth premiered her stylish swimwear collection which sells under the label Klue.

Men and women of all shapes and sizes modelled the collections – most of them volunteers. Plus-size fashions by Elvi at Browns and Swirl clothing at Clifton Moor were also featured.

All the key trends for spring were represented: from denim and florals to polka dots and animal print.

The Catwalk York show was the highlight of Fashion City York’s entire weekend and witnessed the collaboration of leading retailers with local hair salons and make-up artists.

Salons Bang, Fifty50 and Regis at Browns were among those taking part, while local make-up artist Catherine Smith, based at Clifton Moor, led the beauty team.

Some of the hairstyling was labour-intensive: York model Lisa Gray was in the chair for five hours while stylists at Bang prepared her to hit the catwalk in a £840 Vivienne Westwood dress. For Kay Duffy, the team at Regis in Browns spent three hours weaving blue and pink coloured cotton into her hair to match a bespoke James Lakeland dress.

VIPs in attendance included the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Susan Galloway, in a black and soft pink polkadot dress and pink jacket from Kaliko, and her sister, the Lady Mayoress, Lorraine Meehan, wearing a vintage-looking floral skirt with black netting from Vamps, formerly in Walmgate.

Coun Galloway said she was impressed with the show: “I think it shows York in a cosmopolitan light and shows how far we have come as a city in the past few years.”

BBC Radio York’s Elly Fiorentini, who compered the event, wore a purple dress bought on the TV shopping channel QVC. She said: “The Fashion City York team has been overwhelmed by what a success this has been.

“We will have more seats next year.”


York Press: The Press - Comment

Putting on the style in York

We always knew York had style – but now it’s official.

Fashion City York held its first colourful event at the weekend, luring locals and visitors alike with a bustling marquee in St Sampson’s Square and a glamorous catwalk show at the Guildhall.

Organisers – most of them enthusiastic volunteers working in their own time – have pulled off a remarkable feat in staging York’s first festival of fashion. The aim was to shine the spotlight on York and tell the world quite simply that the city is tops for shops.

And about time too. York’s reputation as a desirable retailing destination is an enviable one. Not only do the big brands want to open up for business here, shoppers flock from miles around to spend their fashion pound in the city. A staggering £400 million is lavished each year on the York high street – and surveys show that a spot of retail therapy is the third most popular activity for visitors, behind eating and drinking and cultural activities.

Fashion City York was the brainchild of local retailers and the city council. Its success shows what can be achieved when people come together for a common goal. It all bodes well for future Fashion City York events. Another weekend is scheduled for September this year with a week of festivities for next March.

What needs to happen now is for more city-centre retailers – big and small – to get behind Fashion City York and make it an even bigger success next time round.