The first ever Oxford Fashion Week (OFW) is divided into six segments, Launch Show, The Exhibition, Concept Show, Swimwear and Lingerie, The Debate and Couture Show, 77 designers are expected to present their collections at OFW.
The Launch Show - Sunday 3rd May
The week kicks off with the Launch Show, a huge party at one of Oxford’s largest clubs, The Bridge.
Showing on the catwalk are: Aspire, Cult, French Connection, Gaff, Kaliko, L.K. Bennett, Superdry, Whittawer, Zara
The Exhibition - Monday 4th May
The Exhibition will include art, illustration and photography contributions exploring organic themes in fashion.
Showing are: Adam Parker, Eleanor Hardwick, Eliza Faulkner, Emma Tempest, Erin Petson, Trading for Development, Donald McPherson
The Concept Show - Tuesday 5th May
The Concept show features a line-up of the hottest new names to watch - spanning students, fashion mavericks and established names.
Showing are: Aimee Betts, Carmen Secareanu, Cecilia Mary Robson, Circuit Bored , Edward Delacy, Emma Bell, Eva Nip, Fannie Schiavoni, Grace du Prez, Hass Idriss, Henrietta Ludgate, Hermione O’Hea, Jane Bowler, Kapowow, Marithé et Francois Girbaud, Nabil El-Nayal, Piers Atkinson, Rachel Freire, Rosie Dennington, Topshop Unique
Swimwear & Lingerie - Wednesday 6th May
The Swimwear and Lingerie show will celebrate the human form featuring models casted directly by the OFW Modelling Director, Anthony Parham.
Showing are: Bajan Blue, Enamore, Fantasie, Fauve, Freya, Joy Lingerie, Kanibal UK, Lally Lingerie, Miraclesuit, Panache, Rosy Lingerie, So Shei, Twin Cheeks Corsets, Wolford
The Debate - Thursday 7th May
The Speaker Event, to be held in conjunction with the Oxford Union, will feature Dolly Jones, editor of Vogue.co.uk, Prof. Andrew Ramroop, Saville Row Taylor, Claire Pajaczkowska, Senior Tutor in Fashion and Design at the RCA and Sebastian Horsley, author and journalist, debating the question “Is Fashion Necessary?”
The Couture show - Friday 8th May
The climax of the week, the Couture Show, widely anticipated to be the most high-profile exhibition of the week.
Showing are: Ada Zanditon, Ana Sekularac, Antoni & Alison, BagTV, BasBousa, Catherine Deane, Claire Mischevani, Destiny, Iona Crawford, Jessica Au, Kalikas Armour, Karen Karam, Laura Fauvel, Libas, Lillia Yip, Maria Grachvogel, Massuniq, Minne Muztucarri, Pav Wileman, Pia Stanchina, Rach Heuston, Satoshi Date, Siobhan Ramswell, Zsofia Weber
In selecting contributors for the events, running from 3rd-8th May 2009, the OFW team has relied heavily on raw creativity as a judge of whether a designer should be included. This has meant that stunning new designs from first time exhibitors such as Circuit Bored from Romania will be featured alongside the surreal and experimental such as Piers Atkinson and Cecilia Mary Robson.
Tickets for each event can be bought online at www.oxfordfashionweek.org
Cheryl Cole was crowned the world’s best dressed woman by Glamour magazine this week, beating last year’s winner Kate moss into second place.
A few reasons to admire and adore the John Smedley:
