Some of the biggest names in the fashion industry will descend on Bath later this week as final preparations get underway for the city’s fourth annual Bath in Fashion festival.
More than 100 businesses – supporting everything from catwalk shows to shopping promotions – are expected to be involved, leading organisers to say this year’s week-long festival, which starts this Saturday, could be the biggest yet.
Among the more ground-breaking designs will be a digitally-designed dress created by Craig Lawrence, pictured right, who has dressed Lady Gaga, by fusing technology and made from 500m of cables.
This will be on display in Currys and PC World in SouthGate, while in Milsom Place, Radstock-based luxury handbag manufacturers British Bagmakers will operate a ‘pop up’ workshop for the week where shoppers will be able to see the craftsmen in action, and the skills involved in making an ‘it’ bag. There will also be a display of top, one-off celebrity designs, which will be sold for charity.
One of the most iconic names of fashion photography, Norman Parkinson, is to be celebrated during the week with a unique exhibition to mark the centenary of his birth.
In something of a coup, the exhibition has been curated by top fashion designer Roland Mouret, whose dresses have been worn by a host of A-listers including Scarlett Johansson, Cameron Diaz, Demi Moore and Victoria Beckham.
And there’s a chance for fans to hear about his work when he talks to Susannah Frankel, the fashion director of Grazia, about fashion and the female form at the Octagon at 3pm on Monday.
From America, Michael Bush, the genius who created the outfits for the King of Pop Michael Jackson, pictured right, will reveal his wardrobe secrets at The Guildhall at 7.30pm on April 20.
And artist and fashion illustrator Julie Verhoeven, who created the imagery for Bath in Fashion 2013, will have a free exhibition of some of her work called Ladies, Let’s Rip! at the Holburne Museum.
As well as celebration fashion, textiles and art, one of the primary objectives of Bath in Fashion is to create a buzz on the streets of the city and support its retailers.
Bath Business Improvement District (BID) manager Andrew Cooper said: “Bath in Fashion is a Bath BID initiative and it is great to see so many businesses and retailers getting involved.”
Bath in Fashion runs from this Saturday to Sunday April 21.
Bath Business News is delighted to have been a media partner and supporter of Bath In Fashion for the past two years.
For full events listing and ticket information go to www.bathinfashion.co.uk
