WEST COAST COOLER FASHIONWEEK EXCEL’S

West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK ‘excelled’ quite literally last night (Thursday 16 October)

When the very first catwalk show of the autumn/winter season got under way with a totally exclusive show by Excel Clothing, Ireland’s largest online retailer www.excelclothing.com. The store, which started in Newtownards over 25 years ago, showcased its top designer collections to a packed out audience.

Guests were ‘wowed’ with looks from international designers such as Armani, Calvin Klein and Boss Orange, as well as some great British fashion brands including Hunter, Belstaff, French Connection and Ted Baker for both men and women as well as children.

Following the stunning display, FASHIONWEEK Director Cathy Martin said: “Excel Clothing really pulled out all the stops tonight with that show, and helped us continue our ten year celebrations in remarkable style. It’s great to see such established designer brands like Michael Kors, Paul Smith and Ralph Lauren (to name but a few) on the BFW catwalk. It was also absolutely fabulous to have the very first catwalk showing of the new Millie Mackintosh clothing collection here in Ireland.”

Over twenty of Northern Ireland’s top models put on a show of their own with their perfectly groomed hair styled by the ‘Master of Hair’ team at Peter Mark, official hair partner of Belfast FASHIONWEEK.

Key trends on the catwalk included the welcome return of red for winter, with bold shades throughout the show. Tartan, a typical Highlands pattern, seduced the audience with everything from Punk and Vivienne Westwood styles, but plaid wasn’t restricted to red palettes, as it transgressed into other colour palettes too.

Blue is also a massive trend this season with every hue imaginable being shown on the Excel runway. Some designers used bolder and more vibrant tones such as cobalt to add splashes of colour whilst other showed duller, greyish shades of blue for a more polished and understated look.

William Gilliland owner of Excel Clothing said: “This is the first season we have taken part in FASHIONWEEK, and I’m thrilled to be here tonight. I had always known about FASHIONWEEK, but when my wife Gill and I looked at the option of our own exclusive show, we knew straight away it was for us. Having a platform like fashion week to showcase everything we have on offer at Excel Clothing has been tremendous, and has really boosted our fashion audience here in Belfast and further afield.”

New for this season, guests also had the opportunity to feast on sushi and cocktails from the fabulous Zen pop up restaurant, as well as ‘shop the show’ in the newly added boutique alley where show-goers browsed and bought on-trend fashion and accessories from the show.

West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK continues tonight (Friday 17 October) with Local Designers and Independent Designer Boutiques. Those coming along this evening will enjoy designer fashion from Blush, Jordan, Julia Sokele, Lizzie Agnew, Tara Dickson, Nor Lisa, Indigo Ivy and many more.

What a night! Rounding off our evening with some cosy @Barbour looks! #WCCFW @excelclothing pic.twitter.com/8dwV8vMemc

— West Coast Cooler NI (@WCCNI) October 16, 2014

Wow. We're loving the new @MillieMClothing lines! @excelclothing @millsmackintosh #WCCFW pic.twitter.com/zppLtvB1Ag

— West Coast Cooler NI (@WCCNI) October 16, 2014

Don't underestimate the importance of a great handbag. @MichaelKors @excelclothing #wccfw pic.twitter.com/Ov0t17Ucc4

— West Coast Cooler NI (@WCCNI) October 16, 2014

Maisie Scotch collection looks amazing this season. #WCCFW @excelclothing pic.twitter.com/szqA09URfJ

— West Coast Cooler NI (@WCCNI) October 16, 2014

We're underway here at @BELFASHIONWEEK. #Hunter with some great seasonal looks! #WCCFW pic.twitter.com/vqYkK4CdAb

— West Coast Cooler NI (@WCCNI) October 16, 2014

For further information on West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK log onto

www.belfastfashionweek.com or www.facebook.com/belfastfw.