Despite the hoards of identikit drones wandering about with their arses hanging out of their jeans, Brighton can justifiably revel in its reputation as a fashionable outreach of London’s city-centric couture industry. Now in its sixth year, Brighton Fashion Week is a solid fixture on the clothing calendar, winning adulation from Grazia and Vogue, and the event’s year-on-year growth has resulted in the best yet – bigger names and headline shows. This year the designers are coming from all across the UK to join the usual local talent – in fact so many rag-stitchers will be showing their collections that there are three catwalk shows. Some of the highlights range from Andrew Bannister’s offbeat menswear label studio_805 in the couture show, to the beautifully boho necklaces of Akong London in ready-to-wear.
Director Liz Bishop insists that despite the growth of the show it is, as ever, “always primarily about independent Brighton designers.” A prime example of this is the Trashion Show, celebrating Brighton designer Jez Eaton’s fantastical creations from everyday household objects and pop art packaging. It’s literally rubbish. Brighton Fashion Week are also on the lookout for the style writers of tomorrow, inviting fashionistas to write a piece about their favourite look from the spring/summer 2010 runway collections. The winner will gain a VIP pass to schmooze it up backstage as BFW’s exclusive show blog commentator. Illiterate blaggers aren’t left out in the cold though. At the ready-to-wear show on Saturday the first 100 entrants will receive a free goodie bag. Liz let slip that Irregular Choice purses, handbags and jewellery are all up for grabs. Oops, was that a secret?
Trashion Show Corn Exchange Thurs 10th
Originally from Brighton, but ditching us for the European TV and music industry for the last 20 years, costume and make-up visionary Jez Eaton has finally returned to our shores. To celebrate her renowned talent BFW has dedicated an entire show to her unique ability to transform everyday household items into elaborate outfits. Her work ranges from 50s swing dresses made from hand-stitched sanitary towels and umbrellas providing voluminously sculptured gowns, to Mars bar wrapper suits and shopping bag dresses. Eaton’s inspirations are garnered from haute couture in silhouette and tailoring, urban street stylings, the romance of historical costume and the nostalgia of Victoriana attire. Always highly visual in colour, the show is also influenced in some instances by the brashness of popular culture in colour and cuts and the fantasy of fairytales.
Couture Show Corn Exchange Fri 11th
Getting away from the idea that the catwalk is just for pouting stick insects to strut up and down, designers showing work at this show have been working with Brighton Fashion Week’s choreographer Charlie Finney to help them create their own signature runway style. Highlights of the show include Nikolo Bertok, who is hailed by some as the future Valentino for his subversive breaking from traditional silhouettes, cuts and influences. The North Laine’s answer to new look-era Dior, Joanne Fleming presents Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil, a bittersweet collection inspired by a recent trip to America’s Deep South – soft floaty angelic gowns and vamp-red seductive frills. Sarina Poppy cites Grimm’s Fairytales as inspiration for her theatrical corsetry, while Rosalind Frances Holmes’ surreal and arresting pieces are just some of the luxurious delights in store.
Ready-To-Wear Show Corn Exchange Sat 12th
We could fill this whole page talking about the many chic urban designers showing at the RTW show. Skimming through just a few of the designers lined up, the enticingly patterned womenswear of Ceci Tunn and Kerry Knowles luxe-tailoring for the contemporary hipster about town both leap out. Also worth looking out for is the sumptuous leisurewear from Shoreditch’s Kushion, sassy bold prints from Orleans Design, and adorable kitsch creations from Playsuit Parlour. Shop for your favourites off the catwalk at the fashion market within the Corn Exchange and pamper yourself in the Addicted Cosmetics makeover area for all things hair and beauty. Fashion wannabes can also listen in on workshops and talks from industry experts giving the lowdown on the dos and don’ts of the biz.
ALSO THIS MONTH
Red Mutha Market Fabrica Sat 5th – Sun 6th
The bi-annual Red Mutha fashion fair returns for an unofficial warm-up to Brighton Fashion Week, kicking Brian Eno out of the Fabrica gallery. The free event sees more than 40 independent quirktastic designers, displaying all manner of creations at cheap-as-chips prices. When you’re all shopped out, the Pinx Minx Cafe will be running meaning you can hang out and style-spot. Extraordinarily loud DJs will be playing throughout the fair to add a bit of groove to the proceedings.
Frock Me! Corn Exchange Sun 6th
Vintage fashion market Frock Me! is also back in town for this stylish month, in a new, bigger location. Around 70 vintage stockists will be flaunting their wares, with lush designer pieces and some items selling for pennies. Fans of fashion from all eras flock to Frock Me! in search of original buys you can’t get anywhere else. Even Kylie Minogue has been spotted browsing amongst the rails.
WHEN: Weds 9th – Sat 12th
WEAR: Your fiercest threads
WEBSITE: brightonfashionweek.co.uk