Georgina Lennon :: Glasgow Fashion Week...

Forget Milan, Paris and New York, Fashion Week came to Glasgow this month and was a hit with the Scottish crowds. Over 40 catwalk shows, designs by Scottish and International Designers, plus pre-season previews by many top high street brands, fashion week was a sure bet to be a winner for even the most novice fashionista.

The week kicked off with new talent, Anya Berry, a recent masters graduate in fashion textiles from Glasgow School of Art.  Her collection included gold, hand painted fabrics and Grecian cut dresses.

Danish designer, Daryl Van Wouw debuted his latest, street couture collection later that evening, and left the crowd speechless by his extravagant designs. Thursday saw talented, third year Glasgow School of Art student, Jillian Trench, turn heads with her beautiful designs.  Her ready-to-wear garments showed that this 20-year-old is definitely someone to watch. Vidler and Nixon also debuted their Autumn/Winter 2007/8 collection.

Tailored coats with clinched waistlines and flowing skirts and evening dresses were the must-have items of the evening.  Luxurious fabrics such as lambswool, cashmere and silk jersey in black, grey and cobalt blue. Friday saw duo Mainey Laing debut their first collection, with neon club outfits and scribble dresses. 27-year-old, Hilary Laing and 24-year-old Amy Currie, don’t believe in following design patterns, instead they prefer to just go with the flow and will work with what feels right at the time. “We’re both really inspired by children,” said Laing  “I love the way children just work sporadically.” “They don’t think, they just do.  That’s how our designs are meant to be – simple and easy to wear,” continued Laing.

Scottish Textiles/Cashmere Designer of the Year for 2006, Jennifer Lang, took to the runway that evening with her striking and luxurious designs.  The pleated grey v-neck dress and knitted swing dresses proved to be the hit of the evening.
Last but by no means least, Saturday saw the fashion packed week come to an end.  Up-and-coming young designers Laura Vickers and Veronica Renton got their chance to show what they could do.

Twenty-four-year-old Laura, doesn’t see herself as a fashion designer.  Although she has a love for fashion, she admits she’s a textile designer first and foremost.  In her studio-cum-flat in Ingram Street, Glasgow, is where she creates her effortless shift dresses.  Red velvet dresses with floral patterns hang next to white crochet-print summer dresses, while handcrafted hats lie strewed upon the floor.

“For me, it’s not about creating one dress or one item,” says Laura  “I like creating a look that people can buy into.” “For me, each dress comes with a hat, jacket, necklace and a belt.

“I like things to look complete and full – I’m one of those people that has to tell themselves to stop adding things in-case I go over the top,” she admits. Closing the event was Scottish Designer of the Year, Aimee McWilliams.

The former, Central St Martins College, Honours student, displayed her wearable collection in various vibrant colours. The luxurious garments exude wealth when put together with fur cropped jackets.  My personal favourite, was the fairytale inspired dress.  With hanging sleeves and its floor length, the vivacious red silk, with flashes of deep purple, could have floated down the runway itself.  It was truly magical.    All in all the week seemed to be a success with only a few bumps along the road. “We’ve been really pleased with the feedback,” said Creative Director, Lauren Curie

“It’s been a lot of hard work and there are certainly things we could learn from this first event and improve on for next year, but overall it seems the audience have been pleased.”

Glasgow Fashion Week (GFW) was set up in 2005 to support the fashion industry in the UK and in particular, Scotland.