The Belfast FASHIONWEEK lowdown

24 March 2014

Aoife Malone   X   West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK


This was my second fashion week,and I wasnt disappointed,just keeps gettin better and better.    





Wednesdays night brought us the designer show,always a favourite for me. This show is packed full of designs made by Northern Ireland's best fashion creative's. The catwalk was full of staggeringly beautiful gowns,structured pieces and sports luxe inspired creations. 

Diamond dolls       Diamond dolls        Goddess and swift


      Jourdan            Grainne Maher        Gordan Donaldson

                                 

With every season there is a batch of new and upcoming designers. This seaon, Julia Sokele's collection won the gold medal for me.


Sheer detailing and hand painted oriental inspired designs made her pieces come up trumps on the night. The very best of local designers and designer boutiques impressed the crowd with their delightful designs. Goddess and Swift was joined by other home-grown designers and designer boutiques including Harrison, Blush, Jourdan, Diamond Dolls and Cruise. Other talented designers including the ever impressive,Grainne Maher,the new comer Gordon Donaldson and the likes of Nor Lisa, Rachel McKnight and a guest design house from Italy called Fashion Gossip together got  Wednesdays fabulous catwalk shows under way.


It was another packed house at Belfast’s Ulster Museum on Thursday 20 March as hundreds of stylish ladies and gents gathered to watch this season’s top trends from the High Street at the second night of West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK’s tenth year extravaganza. collections from stores including Marks & Spencer, Mexx, Benetton, Jigsaw and George at Asda joined Next, The OUTLET in Banbridge and Belfast’s CastleCourt stores and took to the runway to wow the crowd with affordable chic fashion.


castle court               exhibit                        jigsaw 

Jigsaw                              Asda                             Castle court


Director of West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK, Cathy Martin said of the event: “The atmosphere tonight was electric as each outfit paraded down the catwalk! I could see lots of women circling items in their programmes, so I think there will be a lot of fashionistas hitting the high street on their next payday!”




Reagrdless of her stunning beauty and classic looks,Rebecca Maguire definitely knows the craic.
Rebecca was a clear stand out for me,her aim is the end of the catwalk and nuttin is getting in this girls way.




The Charity Challenge brings together fashion bloggers and stylists who are each paired with a charity and their retail stores to create a collection of ten catwalk-worthy outfits each. Cathy said: “I can’t wait to see what classic, quirky and vintage ensembles our exceptionally creative stylists will come up with. All the outfits shown on the catwalk as part of the Charity Challenge will be available to reserve on the night at each charity’s pop up store, so as well as exposing what great finds there are in store at some of these gem shops, we’re hoping that the charities will sell the entire collections to make some much needed funds. 


I was thrilled to be asked to take part in the charity shop challenge,and as an avid charity shop lover,I loved it! My chosen charity was Cancer Focus NI and I loved working with all the staff at the Lisburn road store. I was the youngest stylist to take part but I think this worked to my advantage,Here are a few of my  looks,hope you like em!