I love a good fashion show and better yet a good fashion show in one of my favourite parts of London. I hadn’t heard of the Barnes Charity Fashion Show until one Saturday afternoon when I stumbled across an article in a local magazine whilst relaxing at the Petersham Hotel in Richmond (which if you’re looking for a chilled afternoon, a glass of wine, amazing selection of sandwiches and super countryside views, you should totally take a visit!)
The Barnes Charity Fashion Show is an annual event in Barnes which if you’re a local resident I’m sure you have highlighted in your social calendar. If you’re not a local resident then it’s time to put it in your events diary! Usually the show takes place on one evening in October but this year due to popular demand the event was held over 2 nights.
So I headed down to Marsh and Parsons the estate agents on Church Road in Barnes. As official sponsors they were selling the tickets for £20 which also included a glass of prosecco at the after party at Kitson Hall – ooh la la one shall not turn down a glass of fizz! http://www.marshandparsons.co.uk/
I attended on the 2nd night, put on my favourite lace dress from Oasis (more about that in another post coming soon) and trotted off to St Mary’s Church in Barnes to kick up my new Kurt Geiger heels! I collected a glass of bubbly, took my seat and awaiting me there was a goody bag containing some great information, discounts for local stores and some fashionable freebies – But not before the photo op at the press wall naturally!! Dress by Oasis and shoes by Carvella at Kurt Geiger, head piece by myself!!
http://www.oasis-stores.com/lace-neck-high-dress/dresses/oasis/fcp-product/5544901
http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/carvela-gong-courts_854-10004-6380300799/
Kicking off the show were a great quartet Navy Blues playing some upbeat tunes to get the party started. Consisting of 4 young gentlemen from the local St Paul’s School, the band is available for parties, weddings, events etc.. For bookings you can email navybluesquartet@gmail.com
The first fashionistas to strut the catwalk were wearing pieces from Nina, opening to Flo Rida’s ‘I don’t like it, I love it’ and not just parading but prancing too, these models don’t just look good they dance as well! Nina is an independent lifestyle boutique selling clothes, jewellery, homeware and gifts, located at 55 Church Road. www.shopnina.co.uk
Next was Phase Eight, a popular commercial high street brand often found in the villages of London including Wimbledon, Chiswick, Richmond and Marylebone. The catwalk included an array of classic cuts, smart tailoring and elegant evening wear, perfect for a social event or dinner party. 51 Church Road http://www.phase-eight.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhNq8gCidAc
Taking to the catwalk after the shimmer of Phase Eight were the younger generation modelling outfits from MillieManu; a label inspired by a Mother with a passion for design and a fond childhood memory of handmade clothes which inspired her to create this gorgeous childrenswear brand. Consisting of rich velvets, paisley patterns and cutesie head accessories. The tiny tots that walked for the collection were little superstars of their own! http://www.milliemanu.com/
Talking of hair accessories, following the MillieManu munchkins were Nadia Ivanova and local milliner Anne Gretton. Nadia has a boutique store on White Hart Lane in Barnes and is your go to for party wear and with Christmas coming up you better get down there sharpish! Not only are these show stopping, head turning designer frocks handmade, Nadia also loves to offer a personal fit service to make sure the dress is perfectly tailored. Team any of these dresses with an exquisite head piece by local milliner Anne Gretton and you’re party ready! Wedding and couture dresses can be made to order as well as commissioned head pieces. 76 White Hart Lane www.nadiaivanova.co.uk
It may be coming into winter but it’s never too dull to get your Beee-auty on!! B London Boutique is your beauty best friend in Barnes offering an array of treatments and facials to have you looking your best whether for the British winter or beach body ready for a holiday in the sun! In store you can find a range of beautiful bikinis and super swimsuits including Melissa Odabash (one of my favs!). For the catwalk they chose to model their range of resort wear and active again accompanied by a great routine! 16 Barnes High Street http://www.blondonboutique.com/
Autumn is in the air and next up on the runway, Bazar showed us how to layer like a pro with knitted ponchos, furry gilets, cable knit jumpers for the men and the most amazing pom pom hats I’ve ever seen! Created by mother and daughter duo this brand really has nailed the market in Barnes catering for sophisticated 20 somethings, yummy mummies and the fashion conscious over 40s. 8 The Broadway, White Hart Lane http://www.bazar.co.uk/
The penultimate catwalk by Carolyn de la Drapiere not only displayed a fantastic array of evening wear and elegant attire but also told a story along the way focussing on a couple getting married, surrounded by a well clad crowd in delightful dresses and of course the mother of the bride in her luxurious one off matching two piece. It then carried onto their honeymoon which saw some bright, fun patterns, accompanied by Walk the Moon’s ‘Shut up and dance’ which perfectly complimented the scene. Carolyn de la Drapiere chose to use their own models to show off their figure enhancing clothes, which will have you all feeling confident and elegant – what more does a woman need? Plus if you’re looking for a special one off piece you can head to the Barnes sewing room workshop to have a bespoke outfit tailored to your requirements. Studio 6, The Mews, 46-52 Church Rd http://www.drapiere.com/
And last but by no means least was Marco Tripoli, the epiphany of boutique. This quaint village store oozes class and sophistication and is home to the best accessories in town. Looking for a bit of leather arm candy, statement scarf or jazzy jewellery, look no further than 7 White Hart Lane! http://marcotripoli.com/
Of course it wasn’t just the clothes making the catwalk cast look out of this world, the Sinead Kelly team of international award winning hair stylists were on hand backstage working their magic of backcombing, straightening, curling and pinning to give the models a flawless finish. http://www.sineadkellylondon.com/home.php
Plus the talent, creativity and flare of Lisa Mac, the official choreographer of the show, really stood out and turned what could have been a bland catwalk into an amazing show for the whole family to enjoy!
Not forgetting the countless volunteers who assisted with the production, sponsor Marsh and Parsons (the local estate agency that although a big name game player still keeps the knowledge, friendliness and customer service of a local company), raffle donors and of course Isobel Woolf and her team for organising the event for charity: Supporting The Friends of St Mary’s Barnes, Castelnau Community Centre and Age UK.
All in all a fantastic event that I only discovered this year and hopefully you will discover next year! I will be sure to post a reminder as you don’t want to miss out on one of London’s most established, professional and increasingly popular fashion shows – move on over LFW we’re taking the FROW in Barnes!
http://barnescharityfashionshow.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BarnesFashion
https://twitter.com/BarnesFashion
Lexie
xxx