YOUNG designers showed off their talents at the glittering launch of Fashion City York.

Following a “dress-to-impress” dress code, style-lovers flocked to the Tempest Anderson Hall at the Yorkshire Museum last night to kick off the city’s first festival of fashion.

On show were pieces designed by York College fashion students inspired by objects in the museum’s Roman collection.

The evening reception heralded the start of Fashion City York, an initiative by City of York Council and retailers to promote the city as a first-class shopping destination.

Events are planned for the entire weekend, including a Fashion Village marquee in St Sampson’s Square hosting stalls by up-and-coming designers and retailers from outside the city centre.

Zoe Barnes Chapman and Victoria Heslop, of Gillies Fabrics, in Peter Lane, will be staging a “make-a-dress-in-a-day” challenge from the marquee too.

Tonight, the glamour switches to the Guildhall, where the Catwalk York fashion show will be staged. Scores of models will be strutting their stuff from 7pm to 10pm, showcasing the latest trends in clothing, accessories, hair and make-up, supported by leading fashion stores and hair and beauty salons.

Among those taking part are Browns, Fenwick’s, Coast, LK Bennett, Republic, Sarah Coggles and Vivienne Westwood.

Tickets are still on sale, priced £12.50 for a seat or £8.50 standing, from the Visitor Information Centre, Museum Street, or online at visityork.org, or tonight on the door. Under 18s are welcome.

Many city centre retailers supporting Fashion City York will be hosting their own promotions over the weekend.

For more details, pick up the Fashion City York brochure, produced by The Press, available from the Fashion Village and at till points in Fenwick’s, Browns and Republic.

Catch all the latest news and pictures online, on Facebook and Twitter; follow @yorkpress and @fashioncityyork or the Facebook pages: facebook.com/thepressyork and facebook.com/fashioncityyork

Look out too for our exclusive video of Catwalk York online from Monday on our website thepress.co.uk and a full report of the weekend’s events with pictures in Monday’s Press.


What's on

Today

• Fashion Village, 9am to 5.30pm, St Sampson’s Square

• Catwalk York, 7pm to 10pm Guildhall, St Helen’s Square

Tomorrow:

• Fashion Village, 9am to 5.30pm, St Sampson’s Square