LIFESTYLE

Anna Britten perfects her ‘Blue Steel’ for Bath In Fashion.

Bath boasts about many things – its architecture, its rugby team, its insane house prices. But one thing it’s never banged on about is its fashion sense. Well, not since the days of Beau Nash, anyway – the Regency era’s answer to Gok Wan and a man who knew the power of a beaver-trimmed hat.

Bath In Fashion was established last year (funded by B&NES and retail partners) to remind sartorialists of all persuasions and budgets that the fun-sized city is a superb place to shop for clothes – with high- and low-end high street, vintage, designer, independent and top-drawer charity shops all crammed into half an easily traversable, honey-coloured square mile. This year it’s back for five days from Wed 23-Sun 27 Mar, and threatening to turn the city into a heaving mass of strutting limbs, sharpened cheekbones and twinkly, plush fabrics.

Two catwalk shows in Milsom Place on Wed 23 Mar will bring you the best of the spring/summer collections from Mimi Noor, Fenn Wright Manson, Monsoon, Banana Republic, Mimi YuYu, Instant Vintage and Reiss. Tickets cost £10 and include a glass of wine and goodie bag. ‘Fashion & Fizz’ on Thur 24 Mar uses the iconic environs of the Roman Baths to show off the cream of Bath’s independent boutiques, including Blue, Mee, Lux and Prey. Your £40 ticket includes a light supper, fizz and luxurious goodie bag. ‘Urban Style’ (£5) is the flavour of the day on Fri 25 Mar in the Atrium, SouthGate, where afternoon and evening catwalk shows promise “all your top brands in one location” – including Animal, Calvin Klein, Cult, Geiger, New Look, Tommy Hilfiger and Warehouse. Finally, on Sat 26 Mar there’s a day of free Children’s Fashion Shows at Marks and Spencers, Debenhams and Boots, showcasing summer gear for children of all ages.

We know what you’re thinking. Another week, another provincial fashion show. Et alors? Well, you can probably set aside any concerns that this might just be a glorified version of the sort of charity parade that regularly fills the region’s conference rooms and community centres. And that’s largely due to the quality muscle organisers have drafted in. Take show producer John Walford, for example – a popular veteran of the industry, he comes to Bath straight from producing 20 shows at London Fashion Week. He’s joined by top stylist Rebekah Roy who’s worked her magic on pop stars from Ellie Goulding to Kaiser Chiefs, as well as clients such as Harvey Nicks and Harrods.

And there’s more to do than gawp at threads. Bath Spa University’s well-connected fashion design department will be running an essential “subtraction cutting” demo and workshop with international designer Julian Roberts on Sat 26-Sun 27 Mar. Fashion photographer/editor/journalist/lecturer (and author of ‘Postcards from the Edge of the Catwalk’) Iain R Webb, meanwhile, talks about a life in fashion on Wed 23. Textile artist Karen Nicol, currently designer in residence at Bath Spa University, will be sharing her expertise in a talk at The Loft on Bartlett Street. Look out too for the Charity Shop Challenge and living mannequins in shop windows all over the city.

Rumours that fines will be issued to Bathonians wearing their customary uniform of bootcut jeans, North Face puffas and Cath Kidston shoppers remain unsubstantiated at time of going to print.

BATH IN FASHION TAKES PLACE FROM WED 23-SUN 27 MAR. FFI: WWW.BATHINFASHION.CO.UK
 

Copyright Anna Britten 2011

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