Style city

Today WalesOnline can announce the launch of the fabulous Cardiff Fashion Week. The nine-day event kicks off in October. Here’s a taste of what we can expect…

WHAT are you doing this October? Diaries at the ready – and forget booking that last-minute holiday.

You’ll want to be in town for Cardiff’s first official fashion week.

From October 20 until October 28, the Welsh capital will be boasting its style credentials and boosting its status as one of the leading shopping destinations in the UK.

The city will come alive with colour and style as we celebrate everything that’s great about our fashion retail industry.

Figures show there’s a lot to shout about – from 2009 to 2011, the number of visitors to the city centre grew 48% from 26 million to 38 million.

Visitors to Queen Street went up from 12 million to 16.5million; and visitors to The Hayes jumped from three million to 7.5 million – a staggering 150%.

And now the city’s getting the platform it deserves to show off – and invite everyone to dress up, join in and do some shopping.

Sponsored by Redrow Homes, and with support from Cardiff Council and the City Centre Retail Partnership, key partners already lined up include Debenhams, House of Fraser, John Lewis, Boots and St David’s shopping centre.

The event is being directed by Cardiff PR, marketing and events company Vibe – director, Clare Birt, said: “An official fashion week for Cardiff is long overdue.

“The city has a phenomenal shopping and fashion product and is listed as the sixth best shopping destination in the UK.

“We look forward to making Cardiff Fashion Week an annual must-do event in the city’s calendar which will grow year on year.”

WM, on board as media partner for the event, will be hosting a gala evening on Sunday, October 21 at a venue to be revealed later.

Other events include a St David’s Fashion Show over two days, a fashionably high tea, a catwalk show at the city’s beloved Victorian Morgan Quarter and plenty of stylish fringe events happening throughout the week.

In addition to the consumer events, Cardiff Fashion Week will host the first Cardiff Retail Awards, which will acknowledge the contribution retailers make to the local economy.

There are eight categories in the awards, including Independent of the Year Award, High Street Store of the Year Award and Manager of the Year Award and proceeds will go to Shelter Cymru, one of the main charities supported by Cardiff Fashion Week.

Entries can be made online at www.visitcfw.co.uk

With more exciting announcements to be made along the way – keep up with WalesOnline for all the news as it’s announced.

See you there!

www.visitcfw.co.uk

www.facebook.com/pages/The-official-Cardiff-Fashion-Week/288092587955304

www.twitter.com/#!/search/realtime/official%20cardiff%20fashion%20week

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