Parliament buildings at Stormont had some very glamorous and fashionable visitors last night (Friday 21 March) as fashion fans, models and stylists from Belfast and beyond flocked to the Great Hall for the third and final catwalk show of West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK.
Audience members were treated to not one, but two spectacular shows giving a double whammy of fashionable fun. First up was the ‘Charity Challenge’ which involved thirteen bloggers and stylists teaming up with thirteen charities (and their stores) to style up a mini collection from each of their respective stores. And they didn’t disappoint! The style teams, which included popular fashion bloggers Niamh Kelly, Louise Vance and Nicola McLaughlin as well as stylists Rebecca McKinney and Eve Brannon – to name a few, each showed off their exceptional creative flair as the quirky and vintage ensembles demonstrated that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to look stylish and on trend.
That's it folks! Loads more on our Instagram at http://t.co/aeQ4NtbCzT @belfashionweek #belfastfw pic.twitter.com/hCe8wS9S67
— Belfast Times (@Belfasttimes) March 21, 2014
Loads more on our Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/Belfasttimes
Ruairi Murray, Regional Shop Co-Ordinator for Vincent’s said: “Vincent’s are delighted to be part of Belfast FASHIONWEEK’s tenth year. Working with Nicola McLaughlin from thesequincinderella.com, we aim to show that style and value go hand in hand at Vincent’s which supports the work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. Vincent’s have 29 shops across Northern Ireland raising funds for the fight against poverty locally.”
#backstage at @BELFASHIONWEEK 3 bloggers with their Charity outfits.. @LoulouVance @silverbrogues @Niamh_Kelly_ pic.twitter.com/dOBiY2remT
— Belfast Times (@Belfasttimes) March 21, 2014
The clothes were modelled beautifully by some gorgeous new faces as ten finalists from the iconic COVERGIRL competition in association with Belfast FASHIONWEEK, strutted their stuff for the first time on the Belfast FASHIONWEEK catwalk. After whittling the models down to a final three and following a sun soaked photoshoot in Lanzarote, the winner is set to be announced next week and will walk away with £1,000 worth of Victoria Square goodies, plus two return flights to any jet2 destination in Europe, a year’s supply of hair treatments and make up at Andrew Mulvenna’s Hair Salon and Paddy McGurgan’s Make Up Pro Store plus a contract with CMPR models.
Rebecca McKinney, Charity Challenge stylist said: “I kick started my fashion career with an internship at FASHIONWEEK and have always been passionate about the event. Just this month I ended up going away to Lanzarote with the fashion week team for the Cover Girl competition and now to be styling a collection with a charity close to my heart – Age NI – makes me so proud.”
Loved styling the charity challenge with @BarnardosNI @BELFASHIONWEEK @LaurinaK #belfastfw #fashionblogger pic.twitter.com/cOsTfgTar1
— Dearest Diary (@dearestdiaryuk) March 22, 2014
Next up was a theatrical show from multi award winning artist and FASHIONWEEK make up partner since the event’s inception in 2005, Paddy McGurgan, who wowed the crowd with his ‘Birds of Paradise’ colourful body art make up show. Paddy’s dramatic show incorporated music and dance to make it a spectacular visual display which mesmerised the packed out audience. Gorgeous models sported large feathered wings, rhinestones and gems as well as dramatic body art as they glided and fluttered their way down the catwalk in the imposing Great Hall.
Paddy McGurgan said: “I’ve been working as a make up artist with Belfast FASHIONWEEK for the past ten years and prior to that I completed a music degree and worked in choreography so it goes without saying that I’m really passionate about the arts! It’s really nice to be able to combine both of these interests and put on a really artistic and colourful production.”
It was a privilege to attend Paddy McGurgan's Birds of Paradise make-up show. Absolutely incredible. #belfastfw pic.twitter.com/15d6TFUYfU
— Lauren Penman (@GirlAboutTownLP) March 21, 2014
Speaking at last night’s event, Director of Belfast FASHIONWEEK Cathy Martin said: “I was really impressed by the amazing show put on tonight first of all from our very gifted stylists and bloggers who put their heart and soul into creating ten fabulous looks each from the charity stores they teamed up with. I also felt like a proud mother hen as I watched the gorgeous COVERGIRL finalists walk the catwalk – for the very first time for some of them.
“Tonight’s make up display by Paddy McGurgan was the cherry on top of the icing and offered an enthralling end to the main catwalk shows at this season’s FASHIONWEEK.”
FASHIONWEEK continues today [Saturday 22 March] at Saphyre with Cruise fashion teas – a sumptuous afternoon tea accompanied by a mini fashion presentation from luxury fashion brand Cruise. FASHIONWEEK comes to an end on Sunday 23 March with Style Sunday, which offers a ‘best of FASHIONWEEK’ showing key pieces from a selection of the local designers and retailers followed by a three course luncheon, all in aid of Mencap. Guests will also have the opportunity to pick the brains of the hair and beauty team for their advice and top tips on hair and make up trends which are big this season.
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