New talent steps up for Fashion Week debut

There was a distinct Milanese vibe buzzing around the Adelphi hotel, as the cream of Liverpool’s new talent was launched onto the city’s fashion-conscious.

Considerable crowds had gathered to watch as the handiwork of ten fresh new designers was unveiled on catwalks a small step down from those in place at the Fashion Weeks of London, Paris, Milan and New York.

The New Designers Show, sponsored by clothing company Bench, was very much a talking point of the week’s events. The introduction of fresh designers onto the style radar was all part of an eclectic mix of new and familiar creating the very essence of Liverpool Fashion Week that has wowed fashion fans and critics alike.

“It was important to us to get those designers that are new on the horizon involved,” said director Kay Uchegbu, who came up with the concept of Liverpool’s own fashion extravaganza three years ago and launched the event in line with the city’s Capital of Culture celebrations last year.

“To us, Liverpool Fashion Week is all about bringing high street, boutique and designer fashion together.”

Among the new talent on show was 24 year old Sara Li-Chou Han, a JMU fashion and textiles graduate whose brand new collection is set to be released this month in Bold Street’s Resurrection store, marking her first foray into high street retail.

With a background in both design and styling, Sara has high hopes for the couture inspired, retro 50s occasion wear she showcased at the event, and is talking up the future of Liverpool Fashion Week in years to come.

“Obviously Liverpool is very small compared to cities like London, and it is of course early days,” she said. “But if the reaction of the audience and local press, and the feeling backstage is anything to go by, Liverpool Fashion Week could easily find its feet in the next few years.”