January 20, 2016 1.41 pm This story is over 103 months old

Lincoln’s first Fashion Week to bring international glitz and glamour

Fashion extravaganza: International designers from the world of hair and beauty will be descending on Lincoln in May for the city’s first ever Fashion Week.
Lincoln is full of plenty of fashionistas, with designers from the University of Lincoln putting on a fashion show annually. Pictured is ‘Parabolic Peacock’ by Rebecca Hurst. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

International designers from the world of hair and beauty will be descending on Lincoln in May for the city’s first ever Fashion Week.

Lincoln BIG and city centre retailers have been working together for the week-long event, which is scheduled to take place from Monday, May 16 to Saturday, May 21.

Initial conversations with managers at St Marks Shopping Centre and the Waterside Shopping Centre have been held, and it is hoped that the event will become an annual affair.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The University of Lincoln Graduate Fashion Show ‘Eclipse’ 2015. Pictured ‘Encased’ by Lydia Morris. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincoln BIG is now on the lookout to sign up enough sponsors by January 31 to ensure that the event goes ahead.

Michael Armstrong, Events and Operations Manager, said that the idea came about from suggestions from Lincoln BIG’s retail levy payers, as well as from his fact-finding visit to Hull, which runs a similar annual event.

He said: “The event hopes to highlight the educational opportunities available in the city from high end fashion and costume design, career training in retail, design and beauty, and for people to realise the University of Lincoln runs unique courses in the country.”

Val Johnson, St Marks Shopping Centre Manager said: “We thought it would be a good idea to start a fashion week, run on a more commercial basis, rather than tourism angle, and showcasing what Lincoln has to offer in this field and also making the event city-wide.

“We are hoping to get as many businesses, both independent and national, involved.”

Waterside Shopping Centre Marketing Coordinator Chantelle Henderson said: “As a fashion-led shopping centre, with fantastic retailers such as Next, Top Shop, New Look and H&M, we are really pleased to be involved in the planning of Lincoln Fashion Week 2016.

“We’re busy planning a range of events to showcase the extensive fashion offering at the Waterside and will be holding several free activities in the centre during the week.”

For more information and to get involved, contact Michael Armstrong at Lincoln BIG on (01522) 545233 or email [email protected].