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| 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.
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| 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!
