The annual Liverpool Fashion Week opened at Anfield football stadium on Monday night, showcasing the best of couture glamour and high fashion.
The five-night event is the largest regional fashion show in the country outside of London, and this is its fifth year edit. Backstage at Anfield was a stark change from its regular crowd, as a frenzy of stylists and models anticipated their catwalk moment amidst clouds of hairspray and rails of haute couture dresses.
A mix of local, regional and international designers took part in the showcase spread over four hours. Designers included Scottish-born avant garde designer Brian Chan who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent earlier this year. Liverpool-based label Christine Collections, led by ex Broadway costume designer Christine Edson, also featured alongside American label Ngolela.
Liverpool Fashion Week, which is this year sponsored by Childsplay Clothing, is the responsibility of Amanda Moss, the founder and editor of Lifestyle magazine, and she told JMU Journalism how getting things up and running is always the most nerve wracking aspect.
She said: “I love to get opening night out of the way and then I can have a big breather. I think it’s gone really well, hopefully the public have enjoyed it too, I shall wait and see the reviews before I pass judgement.”
Amongst the front row fashionistas were Hollyoaks stars Anna Passey, who plays the soap’s super villain, Sienna Blake, and Persephone Swales-Dawson, who plays Anna’s on-screen daughter, Nico Blake.
Sian Gissings, the former Miss England 2008 finalist and owner of Gissings Boutique told JMU Journalism what inspired her to produce her couture collection, which earned standing ovations from the audience.
She said: “For me personally, every woman wants to feel empowered and I think we all have that moment where we want to put on a fantastic dress and shine and sparkle.
“London Fashion Week is fantastic but I’m all about local businesses and my aim is to do as many fashion shows around the UK as possible.”
With opening night over and another four days of Liverpool Fashion Week to go, organiser Moss is already thinking ahead to 2015.
Amanda told JMU Journalism: “I see relief when the show comes together because it’s 12 months of planning and I’m planning next year’s show now. I’m already looking at venues, designers are coming up to me so I never stop. It’s literally ongoing and that’s the only way I can make it bigger and better.”
Photo galleries by Natalie Townsend. Click to enlarge images
