Aberdeen Fashion Week 2017

This week is Aberdeen Fashion Week, and tomorrow I'll be doing a seminar, talking about various aspects of the fashion industry from trend forecasting, fashion psychology and the future of the creative industry in Scotland.

Here's a preview of my talk (fashion psychology): 

I see fashion as art - self-expression - not status.  It represents what a person has to say for and about themselves, which is what gives them a reason to be appreciated and feel proud of themselves.  In a way fashion enables us all to be our own walking work of artistic expression, a collage of colour, full on tactile texture which tells other people much about us before an official introduction.  Clothing is a communication of a person's identity; a representation of yourself, defining the individual.  There is not a major  philosopher  of  Western  history  since  Socrates  who  didn't discover  that  knowing  yourself is  the  foundation  for  everything  else.  Being aware of your identity and motivations and being able to express these in many ways enables an individual to be content in mind, body and spirit – a fully rounded human, comfortable with themselves and more likely to be attuned to others.  Ego is conscious motivation to impress, self belief is the satisfaction that you feel your motivations are right.

The Designers & Exhibitors include:

Inger Helen Vorley, Owner of The Fountain who originally came up with the concept of Tartan Touch after struggling to find something to wear to a Burn's supper. She designed all the pieces in the Tartan Touch Collection based on the feedback she received from customers. Some of the collection is on sale in her shop and other pieces will be in over the next few months. Eventually items will be available to purchase via our online store which is in development at the moment. All pieces are made in the UK and are very affordable.

Edwin Alcazar Millinery

Full time Cardiothoracic Intensive care nurse : Fomer costume designer of Shirley Temple Bar a celebrity drag artist : Mr gay Ireland costume designer :
Featured Hat designer in Charity show : Cradle Ireland : Nigerian Community Ireland ; and Style Warrior .
2x showcasing Hat designs at pre London fashion week by House of Fashion Sophia consortium London

Pepperfruit London

Pepperfruit is a London based designer and e-commerce retailer of own-label spiced up fashion. Pepperfruit pieces embody exotic prints and motifs to present in enchanting colour, tasteful styling and youthful verve.

Wobia's Clothing & Accessories is an Aberdeen based luxury fashion label founded by Wobia Nwanna-Nzewunwa in 2010. It is a brand that offers ready to wear casuals with bespoke accessories to go with. Catering for both men,women and children of all ages, Wobia's Clothing and accessories has something to make you stand out from the crowd. Wobia's Clothing and Accessories is sold not only in Europe but in Africa as well.

Aleah Leigh Designer

With a signature style of recyclable materials also know as eco fashion or avant garde , her natural confidence and ability to make something out of nothing, Aleah Leigh’s talent was immediately apparent in her first collection with the London Fashion network from here she has show cased with the likes of fashion finest , Apitute UK , International companies such as fashion meet music , top Model worldwide ,Shanghai Tourism Festival and you will be seeing them at Notting hill carnival, Thames Festival, Kingston and Paddington festival, based at The Paddington Arts Centre.  She will be creating top Avant garde designs to show case at this years London fashion week and internationally, she does not just stop at Haute Couture, she also has a range of evening gown worn by girls all over pageants from Miss England to Miss Universal Carnival along side her stunning swimwear, divine summer dresses, winter and rain coat collections she also covers these designs into kids wear, shoes and accessories  Her sought after collection is sure to bring attention to any runway show with her unique designs and inspirational collections of art, her methods of designs are out of this world: an unconventional designer at her best.

Akani by Diana Ntimane (Ireland)

Diana Ntimane craftsmanship was formed from an early age. At age 13 years in Africa her needlework was shown around as a best example around the school. In 2013 she won the recycling competition in Dublin.She has designed for celebrities and seen beauty contestants winning wearing Akani Clothing brand. She has won best evening wear of the Ultimate beauty Miss Uk & Ireland 2014. Akani Brand has an exciting Spring summer collection. Unique eye catching pieces from the inspired by the love of uniqueness by mixing different cultural backgrounds with nature. AKANI collection is full of beautifully constructed garments,unique cuts,for the sophisticated woman. Akani will be showcasing the spring summer 2017 together with autum winter 2017/18.

House Of Maiya Dublin

House of Maiya is a multi award winning 13 year old designer who already has established a name for herself on the international Fashion scene. With invites from Cannes red carpet, London and New York Fashion week as well as editorials of her work in magazines all over the world. It may be safe to say. House of Maiya is taking the world by storm.

Kalamaty Fashions

A recent graduate from Aberdeen’s Grays school of art, Zoey Cumming aka Kalamaty fashions will be showcasing at Aberdeenshire fashion week. The main collection of latex and recycled rubber garments and accessories, demonstrates a pioneering approach to design for today’s ecological climate with a sustainable attitude to fashion design by using clever cutting, zero waste policy and some recycling, while at the same time creating something dynamic and unique. Inspired by music festivals, where fashion is a free for all to have fun with. During the design process Zoey developed a number of techniques to achieve a variety of textured textiles such as weave, fringing and print on latex. Also on show will be some more conventional outfits to enable viewers to see her capabilities.

Nato Design House was founded in the year 2013 by Aulgah Ojijo. Nato is a cultural lifestyle brand, expressive of contemporary Afro-urban style. We define the true beauty of an African woman.

Bohemian Dream by Yana Raikes

I'm just a talented, creative person who can and really wants to create beauty in this world!There is no brighter fire than the one burning in our soul! 

Zuri Africa

Mary Wacera Mbugua, a designer with Zuri African Collections which is based in Nairobi will be showcasing her unique designs in Aberdeen Fashion week. She is passionate about her designs and gives each a unique taste to the satisfaction of her growing clientele. Mary gets her inspiration from African prints and different cultures to bring out fashionable designs. She loves the power of transforming quality of dressing in the fashion industry.

Trendy Weddings

TrendyPR is a niche and creative event management showcasing/displaying AfroScot wedding attire for the fashion week.

TrendyPR has a vision to serve and grow the African-Black creative sector in Scotland – this vision has been supported by the Aberdeen City Council, Foundation Scotland, EventScotland and Big Lottery. We are able to provide quality and consistent service with our access to and partnership with African-Black Film Distributors, Media, TV, Events and Artistes other creative networks in the UK and globally.

Must Have Dresses by Vish Archer

It's time for fashionable women to be able to enjoy what the men enjoy when they hire kilts, suits and accessories for special occasion. why buy when you can hire?  Hire designer dresses and rent evening gowns for life's most special occasions. Must have dresses offer breathtaking designer dresses to women at 85% off their retail price, allowing women instant access to their favourite catwalk looks at an affordable price, coupled with a sleek and efficient service perfect for solving that dress dilemma.

Forbes Couture Design

Scotland based Brazilian Fashion Designer Edna Forbes will be showcasing her collection at the fashion week.

Esther O by Esther Ongoto

Esther is an emerging designer who getting very popular with her latest collection Osinachi in her country Kenya.

Kemunto by Lydia Cutler

Multi award winning fashion designer with African and Tartan inspired dresses. Also to showcase adventurous knitwear collection at the Aberdeen Fashion Week.

Claire Garvey

Claire Garvey is an internationally published designer. She has been featured in German Vogue, Obsever Vision France and was one of six designers chosen to showcase in Paris, winning The White Swan Madame Figora Design award. She has had her own shop in Dublin Ireland for 15years selling her couture. She designs for weddings, special occasions and performers. She designed the outfits for Chic for their UK X FACTOR appearance and for icon Nile Rodgers numerous times including The Oscars where he performed with Elton John and Bette Milder Extravaganza.

Yellow Bubble by Jenny McCraw

Yellow Bubble is an independent knitwear brand specialising in luxury street-wear by Gray’s School of Art graduate Jenny McCraw. After graduating in July 2015 from the BA(hons) in Fashion and Textiles, Jenny set up in Edinburgh and created the brand to attempt to fill a gap in the market for sustainable, contemporary knitwear which championed the values of well made, small-scale, Scottish production. Forever fans of anything bright, weird, wonderful and fluffy, Yellow Bubble’s debut collection will be shown at Aberdeen Fashion Week.

Tania Qadir

Tania Qadir is synonymous with sophistication and panache. Everything made under the Tania Qadir label is hand-worked in Pakistan ensuring only the finest fabrics including chiffons, hand-woven silks and brocade are used. The essence of the Tania Qadir label is its attention to couture, detail and innovative cuts. With an eye on international fashion the label focuses in authentic, accessible clothes and seeks to fusion a sense of subtle glamour with a flourish of chic. Never archetypal, a Tania Qadir outfit can be worn by women across age and body type with equal style. Tania Qadir will be showcasing her exclusive formal collection at Aberdeen Fashion Week.

Chic Clothing's

Chic Clothing's is a Childrens dress designer Angel Dairo based in Glasgow UK, will be showcasing at the Fashion Week.

Ms Shaz Bespoke Bags

Shazlin Abdul Ghani originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was formerly trained as an engineer, with a strong passion for arts and crafts. As to fulfil her love for the arts, she explored her interest through decorative art painting and learning the skilful art of professional make up. She had enrolled herself into a school and graduated as a certified make up artist. She has worked for various fashion runaway such as Malaysian International Fashion Award (MIFA) in Kuala Lumpur. Ms Shaz Bespoke Bags is a line she established in 2015

Vaishali Morjaria

Vaishali , Kenya's top fashion designer will be showcasing at the fashion week, Vaishali has also showcased Nationally/Internationally, receiving awards from many countries globally i.e. UK, Sweden, Morocco, Italy, USA, Tanzania, Rwanda, Gabon and has been published in many books and articles whether in fine art, photography, fashion, jewellery etc. She just represented Kenya at the Africa Fashion Week in London in August and came in second position in the Established Designer Category in the recent Kenya Fashion Awards 2014. She has been published in Books like International Contemporary Masters 2009 and International Dictionary of Artists 2011, World Wide Art Books, USA Vaishali’s collections reflect a juxtaposition of contemporary and aesthetic spectrum of mix media and perspectives of African/Indian origins. She is a designer known for her multi talents in a spectrum of fields of creative designing and has represented Kenya in various countries as a multicultural icon.

Mira by Trina

Mira by Trina is a raw undefined fashion label that dresses the modern African debonair man and sophisticated woman. Its aesthetic lies in the unconventional forms the designs take. A label that merges all cultures and transcends all borders while intrinsically African. Mira by Trina’s clients are very ready to stand out, and dare to differ as they maintain a subtle and poised ensemble.

The House of Esther

Mark Johnson the name behind the label The House of Esther specialises in Red carpet style evening gowns and blazers. The gowns are often long and figure hugging, sometimes cut on the bias. Mark is a pattern cutter, dressmaker and designer and has his own business in East London. www.thehouseofesther.com info@thehouseofesther.com

Eagle Fashions by Richa Kapoor

Actress, Model, Socialite, Fashion Icon and Fashion Designer Richa Kapoor is the epitome of classic fashion, in the southern Indian city of Chennai. A student from National Institute of Fashion Technology, Chennai she launched her boutique and brand Jai Maa in 2007 and Eagle Fashions by Richa Kapoor in 2012. The brand represents energy, passion and empowerment of "today’s woman" to walk the red carpet of life.

K2Much

Fashion Designer Kamal based in South Africa will be showcasing at the Fashion Week.

DK Darlington Designs

DK Darlington is an upscale fashion design company that has been in existence since July 2009. DK Darlington was created by Kimalie Darlington in 2009 after his completion of his undergraduate degree in Fashion Design Technology in Menswear. The name of the company identifies itself with its creator as an outgoing, ambitious, excitable creative designer who has struggled with dyslexia to turn his stumbling block into stepping stones. DK Darlington’s clothing designs are exclusively personal, which includes a detailed style assessment, which ensures that our customers’ needs are met and they dress with style.

Ela Rose

Princess Heirsmac is owner of Izabeli presents Ela Rose Wear, a UK-based Apparel and Fashion Company. Ela Rose specializes in producing "Occasions designs and restructure to perfection; Supplying attires- African, Asian, Western and Arabic Cultures; Selling attires for women and men Occasion and Bridal Designs (brides, bridesmaids, junior bridesmaids, mother of the bride and groom)." The fashion house uses "certified organic and fairtrade materials to make the different styles of their clothes."

Wonderfully Made Designs

“Look good, Feel good. You are Wonderfully Made.” Wonderfully Made Designs is a business run by Roselie Emmanuel and it is based in Aberdeen. It specialises in handmade jewellery and accessories for all occasions. It was one of the 6 businesses that won the 2011 Retail Rocks Competition. I strongly believe that colour plays a very important role in our everyday life. It brings pleasure to those who love, appreciate and celebrate it. My passion is to mix various jewellery materials of different colours and textures to create unique pieces. For more information about us and our products please visit:- www.wonderfully-made.co.uk Email: roselie@wonderfully-made.co.uk Like us on Facebook:- Wonderfully Made Designs Follow us on Twitter:- @WMadeDesigns

LeewayFashion House

German based fashion designer will be showcasing his womenwear collection at the Aberdeenshire Fashion Week

There are runway shows on Saturday and Sunday - here are the schedules.

Saturday 29 April 2017 
11:00 Opening Ceremony: Aberdeen Fashion Week Designers & Models welcome parade 
11:15 Top Model/Actor Victor Hugo speech and Welcomes Malaika Mwaniki (London Fashion Week) and Other VIPs 
11:30 Entertainment: iamrac iamrac & Forbes Couture 
11:45 Edwin Alcazar Millinery by Edwin Alcazar(Ireland) 
12:00 Les TeRe by Rhiana (Netherlands) 
12:15 Tartan Touch by Inger Vorley (Inverurie) 
12:30 Pete Preston(Sponsor) Lunch & Aiysha Performance 
13:00 Aleah Designer by Aleah Leigh (Show Stopper) London 
13:15t Akani by Diana Ntimane (Dublin Ireland) 
14:00 Pepperfruit by Kingsley Ibe (London) 
14:15 Nato Design House by Aulgah Nato (Nairobi, Kenya) 
14:30 Maiya Designs by Maiya Ni(Dublin Ireland) 
14:45 Must Have Dresses by Vishwavara Archer( Aberdeen) 
15:00 Entertainment Neva and iamrac iamrac (Scotland) 
15:15 Glamour Fashions by Jessy Omwa (Kenya) 
15:30 Bohemian Dream by Yana Raikes (Russia) 
15:45 Esther Osinachi Designs by Esther Ongoto(Kenya) 
16:00 Culture Inspired by Marieanne Mwiki (Edinburgh) 
16:15 Trendy Weddings by Timi (Aberdeen) 
16:30 Trendy Weddings by Timi (Aberdeen) 
16:45 Wobia’s Clothing & Accessories by Wobia Nze (Aberdeen) 
17:00 Positive Runway by Justina Mutale (International) 
17:15 Entertainment by John Best ( Mintlaw)

Sunday 30 April 2017 
11:00 Perfomance by iamrac iamrac 
11:15 Dance by Neva Jenkins 
11:30 Les TeRe by Rhiana ACCESSORIES (Netherlands) 
11:45 Bohemian Dream by Yana Raikes (Russia) 
12:00 Must Have Dresses by Vishwavara Archer (Aberdeen) 
12:15 Tartan Touch by Inger Vorley (Inverurie, Scotland) 
12:30 Lunch Break & John Best Performs 
13:00 Aleah Designer by Aleah Leigh (Show Stopper) London 
13:15t Akani by Diana Ntimane (Dublin , Ireland) 
14:00 Pepperfruit by Kingsley Ibe (London) 
14:15 Aberdeen Fashion Week Kid Models Performance 
14:30 Glamour Fashions by Jessy Omwa (Kenya) 
14:45 Nato Design House by Aulgah Nato (Nairobi, Kenya) 
15:00 Entertainment by Aiysha Russell 
15:15 JKB Plecklace Inc by John Best (Mintlaw) 
15:30 House of Maiya by Maiya Ni (Ireland) 
15:45 Esther Osinachi Designs by Esther Ongoto (Kenya) 
16:00 Forbes Couture Designs by Edna Forbes (Banchory) 
16:15 Culture Inspired by Marianne Mwiki (Edinburg) 
16:30 Bethel Clothing by Meg Kirk (Aberdeen) 
16:45 Wobia Clothing & Accessories by Wobia Nze (Aberdeen) 
17:00 Fashion Week Closing Performance 
17:15 Fashion Week 2017 Officially Closed