Today I’m updating you on some more news on Manchester Fashion Week 2013, by revealing the official VIP bag design!
And kittens, I love the way that this bag was designed by a local school girl – a chance I would have cherished whilst I was at school! Purrrfect!
Drumroll perlease…. The winning design is… DUN DUN DUN
14 year old Ocean Williams competed against her fellow Whalley Range High School pupils after they were given the challenge to come up with an original design to adorn goody bags intended for VIPs at Manchester Fashion Week 2013 – well done, girl!
Glamour Puss, Head of Fashion at MCRFW Kirsty Attwood, said“we chose Whalley Range High School as it is a school that is right at the heart of Manchester. Their textiles department has recently been refurbished and a number of their pupils go on to design courses or aspire to work within the fashion industry. This year Manchester Fashion Week is all about creating a legacy for fashion in our city and we wanted to develop this from the grass roots.”
The 1500 strong girls school were given the brief of creating a design that epitomizes Manchester and reflects its edgy style. The standard was so high the judging panel of MCRFW ambassadors narrowed it down to a final 10 designs, in partnership with DUO Plastics.
Plus kittens, the panel included Manchester designer and fashionista Nadine Merabi – see my video and blog post on her official collection launch here – who said “it was such a hard decision for us to make. The girls had come up with some amazing ideas but we felt Ocean really made an impact and loved use of the Manchester skyline and striking colours.” (For more info on Nadine, check out my previous blog post, here).
Duo’s Commercial Director, Anthony Brimelow, who took part in the judging process thinks this has been a great project to be involved in, stating “as a business retail is one of our key sectors – we count leading brands such as ASOS, Boohoo.com and JD Williams among our customers so there’s a natural affinity between us and many of the companies involved in Manchester Fashion Week. In fact we have worked with Boohoo.com, another ambassador of MCRFW from day one and supported them as their business has rapidly grown. In addition to this, we are a proud Manchester business and we’re celebrating our 25thanniversary this year. The city has been good to us so the way Manchester Fashion Week is nurturing new talent and helping young businesses grow really appeals to us.”
So kittens, the design will now be made into an actual bag by Manchester based leading packaging manufacturer Duo Plastics UK, who are one of the main sponsors for Manchester Fashion Week 2013. 2013 marks the second year of Manchester Fashion Week and sees an increase in catwalk shows and exhibition space. 20% of the 30 catwalks will be donated to independent British Fashion designers creating a fantastic opportunity to showcase their work and champion the new fashionistas of the future.
Don’t forget, kittens, that Manchester Fashion Week 2013 will take place between 22nd April- 26th April at the National Football Museum.
Y’all can also check out the top 10 Whalley Range High School designs can be viewed on the official MCRFW website by logging on to www.mcrfashionweek.com – happy viewing!
Full time I'm an ambitious Head of Marketing and Communications in the luxury industry. Part time, I'm an enthusiastic British Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle blogger and YouTuber from Manchester, UK. This blog has been my outlet for the past 7+ years, and as a longstanding, Award-winning blogger I take the most enjoyment from creating content I truly love and believe in. All authentic. Always.
Glamour Puss, Head of Fashion at MCRFW Kirsty Attwood, said“we chose Whalley Range High School as it is a school that is right at the heart of Manchester. Their textiles department has recently been refurbished and a number of their pupils go on to design courses or aspire to work within the fashion industry. This year Manchester Fashion Week is all about creating a legacy for fashion in our city and we wanted to develop this from the grass roots.”
