Stage set for Fashion Festival

Leeds Fashion Festival launches this weekend in style, kicking-off on Friday evening with the Leeds Independents Fashion Soiree.

More than 100 people are expected to gather at Fabrication in The Light to enjoy a free bar from the Botanist and food by Armley Junk-tion.

The Festival is supported by Leeds City Council, Leeds Bid, Trinity Leeds, Victoria Quarter, Leeds Corn Exchange and the new Victoria Gate as well as a host of retailers, businesses, independents and students.

Talking all things fashion, I had the pleasure of catching up with Dawn Wood, chairwoman of Fabrication in The Light, which is home to 80 plus individual designers within fashion, interiors, art, and accessories.

Dawn is hosting the Fashion Soiree on Friday and is very active within the Leeds independents scene. Along with other local designers she runs regular independent workshops in the city for anyone with a passion for fashion, the designers also manage the Leeds Fashion and Craft Network open to emerging designers.

There is another special and high profile event taking place as part of the Leeds Fashion Festival launch this weekend.

Trinity Leeds is hosting a Live Fashion Show, which will see River Island, M&S, Armani Exchange, Mango, Coast, Primark, Superdry, Replay, New Look, Warehouse, Oasis, Adidas, Celeb Boutique, Virgin, Rox, Fossil, Watch Station and Boutique Goldsmiths all take to the catwalk.

Regus Hair Salon along with all 15 cosmetic brands in Boots will style the models, provided by Catwalk Model Management.

The first ever fashion show in Trinity is creating such a buzz, all the retailers are thrilled and excited to be involved, watching the show alongside thousands of shoppers are VIP business leaders, press and creative individuals enjoying the fashion whilst sipping cocktails generously donated by Angelica and greeted with a goody bag from Boots.