Belfast Fashion Week s/s 2012

Last night  the streets of Belfast rumbled with the sound of high heels clicking their way to the Europa Hotel. Inside, the air was thick with perfume and hairspray and in the distance you could see the faint, twinkling flashes of cameras.

Around 500 guests arrived on March 14, to launch Belfast Fashion Week into its eighth year and thirteenth season. Throughout the five days of fashionable events, leading retailers and local designers are set to interpret key trends for spring/summer 2012. Last night however, it was the turn of designer boutiques to launch proceedings and parade their finest threads on a the glittering pink catwalk.



Candy Plum Hillsborough, Logans of Cloughmills, Notoria in Larne, Diamond Dolls, Yoke, Blush, Jourdan, Stella and Dot by Grainne Maskey and THE OUTLET debuted a range of collections that echoed the opulent glamour that dominated New York, London, Milan and Paris.

Principal trends were astutely reinvented by our local boutiques. A la mode pastel shades were sugared over 1950s style Mad Men dresses. They drew sherbet-sweet curves on the body and had a retro frolic that kicked from under swinging peplum flares; for the ultimate hourglass silhouette.

BFW also showcased contemporary prints and improvised with metallics by integrating them into accessories. Gorgeous models flattered their figures with illusion bodycon dresses that mimicked the coveted fit of popular Victoria Beckham and Stella McCartney designs. These were teamed with vintage sun-hats, over-sized glasses and a romantic tousled hairstyle courtesy of Joe McGivern from Cloud 9 hair products.

The night flowed effortlessly, without a hitch, and exuded the luxury that Northern Ireland deserves. Belfast Fashion Week has flourished into a confident event that is appealing and accessible to the masses. As our fashion community grows into its own, it strengthens and comes closer to finding its niche. Whilst, in ways, we adopted the prestige of NY, London and Paris, we're learning that we don't need to emulate it; Belfast has its own allure.

Photographs courtesy of Matthew Symington (journalist)