Celebration of Style 2014 | Just Add Ginger

Photo Credit: c/o Rachel @ Times2Style

If you saw this video , you will know just how excited I have been for Celebration of Style to land in Liverpool. The hype and build up to the launch of the event was just immense, and whilst I was REALLY exited to be involved in everything that was going on, I was also a little bit overwhelmed, scared, and nervous too! 

To my delight, Rachel from Times2Style and I had planned to attend all the events together. Blogging has brought me so many lovely friends that I was really excited to be spending some of the most nail-bitingly, amazingly exciting days with her. 

Our Celebration of Style adventure started at the Press Launch on 13th November, which took place in the Royal Liver Building. Yes. Really! I had to stand there pinching myself for a few minutes before I went in. To be attending an event inside one of the most iconic buildings in Liverpool was just mind-boggling to me, and I instantly felt very honoured, and very privileged to be a part of it. 

The Press Launch was a chance for members of the press, organisers, and special guests to mingle and find out more about what lay in store for the event. With an exclusive preview of Abbey Clancy's new range for Matalan, as well as the chance to look at the Tim Bret Day exhibition, which was housed in the Royal Liver Building for the event, there was a lot to take in (hence why the photos are a bit blurry...I tried to find an optimal place amidst the press with their big, fancy, professional cameras, and my poor little phone couldn't cut the mustard!)

Influence of Style - which took place the following day at the Titanic Hotel - was a big fashion, beauty and style expo extravaganza, with stalls from local businesses, world-renowned brands, and Andrew Collinge to boot. Talks and panels - presented by Jenny Frost - also took place throughout the day led by industry experts and insiders. It was a really insightful hub of all things #COStyle, and with so much going on, you could have walked around looking, gazing, admiring and listening for hours. We attended the first talk of the day, and to hear everybody talk with such passion, enthusiasm and vigour about their own experiences and career paths was seriously motivating and inspiring to listen to.  

After two days of energised, excited chaos, I was so, so, so excited for the Cricket Big Fashion Night Out on Friday night. 

L-R: Rachel (Times2Style), Me, & Allie (Tie Dye Eyes)

And it was honestly the most incredible event to experience. Kicking off with a pre-show reception, the Cunard building - which was lit up in the most beautiful pinky-purple - was soon buzzing with excitement. Giant posters of Abbey Clancy's collaboration with Matalan decorated the walls, bubbly was flowing, the music was pumping. and I really did think I was dreaming! 

To get everybody warmed up, local band Broken Men played some live tracks. They were just fantastic, and the perfect pre-show soundtrack to get everybody really excited as seats were taken, drinks ordered, and some last minute pampering took place at the pop-up Ilamasqua, Nails Inc and Andrew Collinge stands. 

And then it was time for the show. Slipping off my seat in the press pen and on to the floor to get a better view, I couldn't believe all the amazing pieces that were floating down the runway. From Balenciaga to Balmain, Victoria Beckham to Cèline, Matthew Williamson to Givenchy, I was completely in awe. It was my very first fashion show, and I don't think I'm ever going to forget what it felt like to see so many gorgeous clothes right there in front of me....All in one place. 

The show closed to a performance by Kelli-Leigh (who's vocals appear on Duke Dumont's "I Got U.") She brought the house down and got everybody up on the (now empty) catwalk, dancing like there was no tomorrow. What a way to end the show! 

Celebration of Style absolutely nailed it, showing everyone out there what amazing talent, taste and style it has to offer, and banishing all of the misrepresentation that can happen in the press for good! It was a sensational event, and I am so happy to hear that it may be coming back next year. 

So you have no excuse, everybody get involved!

A Celebration is Coming | Just Add Ginger

(NB: The giveaway mentioned is now CLOSED) 

If you read this blog post that I uploaded a few weeks ago, you will know that there is a HUGE event coming to Liverpool this week. 

Celebration Of Style will be arriving in Liverpool tomorrow (13th November 2014.) The three day event extravaganza will bring events to Liverpool that celebrate all things style (as the event name would suggest.) The event schedule is chock-a-block, with events popping up in different stores....exhibitions...as well as two big events. 

I talk through more about the schedule in the video above, so definitely give that a click to find out more. I apologise for the rambliness and over-excitement but I really am so giddy at the thought of Celebration Of Style. It's going to be a really amazing three days and a fabulous event for the city.

Follow @C_of_Style on Twitter, and use #COStyle to keep up to date with all the events that are happening over the course of the event, and if you are planning on attending any of the events, please let me know in the comments below. 

Boodles, Brunch, Celebration Of Style, And A GIVEAWAY! | Just Add Ginger

Last Friday, myself, and some other lovely local bloggers were invited down to Boodles to look at very pretty jewellery and discuss the upcoming Celebration of Style event that is set to hit Liverpool in just a few short weeks.

The event is going to take place over three days (13th - 15th November,) with events happening in iconic locations throughout the city....from the Liver Buildings to the Titanic Hotel. It is a celebration of all things fashion....art....architecture and style, and is set to show that in the big ol' game of fashion, our city packs one hell of a punch! Celebration of Style will feature appearances from top hair stylist Andrew Collinge, fashion photographer Tim Bret Day, and renowned fashion designer Matthew Williamson...It is set to take the city by storm!

Justine Mills (owner of Cricket,) has teamed up with SK Events to put together an event that pulls out all the stops to showcase what a lively, influential, and stylish city Liverpool is. I think my jaw nearly hit the floor - tactically avoiding the amazing jewellery - when Justine walked in. 

But hearing Justine speak about Celebration of Style was enough to set off a million butterflies in my stomach. To hear her speak so passionately and vivaciously about something made me even more excited for the event to take place. One of the main aims of the event is to dispel perceptions about Liverpool that people outside the city tend to associate with it. The media can misrepresent our city in such a big way. And people think it's what Liverpool's about? Well not for long folks. This city's going to show exactly what Liverpool's all about.

The schedule for the event is jam-packed. And with so much going on, Liverpool is going to be buzzing. With events and activities happening throughout the city. From events happening in-store at shops to the Stanley Dock there is going to be something for everyone! 

And to top it off, I have been very, very kindly been provided with the opportunity to host a giveaway (c/o Celebration of Style) for your chance to win 2 tickets to The Influence of Style event which is happening on 14th November (10.30am-4.00pm.) You and a friend will be able to immerse yourself in a day of panels and talks from top experts (Cassie Lomas, Justine Mills and representatives from Matalan & MMU but to name a few) about what it's really like to work in the industry and to give advice about making your start in the biz. 

Giveaway Rules

* Entrants MUST be aged 16 or over. 

* The prize is ONE set of 2 tickets for 

The Influence of Style Event (14th November 2014.)

* The giveaway is open to UK residents only. 

*You must be able to make your own way to and from the event.  

*The giveaway will end on 11/11/2014

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NB: Once the winner has been selected, you will be contacted by a member of the Celebration of Style team with details about receiving your prize and entry to the Influence of Style Event

I cannot tell you just how bloody excited I am for Celebration of Style. It is going to be an incredible event with so many things going on. It's time to show the world exactly what Liverpool is made of! 

If you're on Twitter, stay up-to-date with Celebration of Style by following @C_of_Style, and using #COStyle