Retailers in Harrogate have been celebrating after analysing the results of a fashion-focused day designed to boost the town centre.
The Celebration of Fashion, organised by Harrogate Business Improvement District, saw hundreds of garments brought to the catwalk by dozens of local models.
Wall-to-wall sunshine helped to bring out the crowds for the event outside Victoria Shopping Centre, while the Stray Ferret, as media partner, shared it with tens of thousands more viewers online.
The catwalk was filled with everything from charity shop finds to wedding dresses, featuring outfits from retailers including LK Bennett, Marks and Spencer, Morgan Clare, Primark and more.
The organisers and participants have now analysed the results for the day and they make for impressive reading.
Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said:
“We are very proud to have planned and delivered such a successful event, working with the Stray Ferret and Victoria Shopping Centre.
“Over 40 retailers took part in the day, with over 20,000 visitors walking through the shopping centre during the event. The retailers all saw an increase in sales in the days and weeks after, with certain items that had been showcased selling out on the actual day – which is fantastic to hear.
“We are very much hoping the event will return in 2024 and that it will be bigger and better.”
Crowds watch the action on the catwalk
For Hoopers, the make-up demonstration created an “instant reaction” in encouraging customers to shop in the store, and the menswear department saw a “great reaction” after the wedding and bridal show.
General manager Nick Hubbert said:
“The day was fantastic and for me personally it was about working with the local community of retailers.
“Commercially it’s more of an advert and opportunity to show case our fashion offer, more of the planting the seed and awareness of the product available in Hoopers.”
Adding his voice in praise of the event, Victoria Shopping Centre manager James White said:
“Wow – I think it’s safe to say that the Harrogate celebration of fashion was a true success. I, along with everyone in the town, was truly blown away!
“The event brought a brilliant energy to the town centre, and it was fantastic to see that reflected in both sales and footfall for our retailers. We were thrilled to be able to host the event at Victoria Shopping Centre.”
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Retailers strike a pose at the Harrogate Fashion Show
Harrogate retailers showed off their collections today in a fashion show designed to celebrate what the town has to offer.
Hundreds of shoppers watched in glorious weather as models walked an open-air catwalk as part of The Harrogate Fashion Show.
The event was organised by the Harrogate BID and sponsored by The Victoria Shopping Centre. The Stray Ferret has been the media partner.
The day was divided up into different fashion themes – the summer season, upcycling, wedding wear, Harrogate on the high street, activewear and children’s celebration.
Behind the scenes in the shopping centre, dozens of models both professional and volunteers were changing outfits, having their hair styled by Baroque and their make up touched up to make sure they looked absolutely fabulous.
On stage, personal stylist, Anna Spreckley, who works with Hoopers, (below in the red dress) provided the audience with fashion insights and tips.
The catwalk, chairs and big screen were outside the Victoria Shopping Centre
BID manager, Matthew Chapman said he was pleased so many retailers had taken part:
“I think it’s been really, really positive. It’s been twelve weeks in the planning so we’ve delivered it in quite a short space of time. You can see by the numbers today it’s been very positive. There’s lots to celebrate in retail even though the high street is changing.
“It is tough with the cost of living. We at the BID need to support businesses and I feel today’s done that.”
Behind the scenes -Selina and Darcy Skinner get ready to model for Elite Bridal UK
Independent stores such as Hoopers, Bias, Morgan Clare, Infinity & Co and Sophie Likes were joined by high street stores such as M&S, Specsavers, Lush, Sweaty Betty and LK Bennett.
Nick Hubbert, general manager of Hoopers said the store was keen to take part:
“We want to be involved in the community and work with the other retailers to promote the town. Commercially, I want to show all the fabulous products we have in the store and bring in new customers.
“Events like this show people what we’re good at. I think we need to work with our competitors and if people visit Harrogate, see great stores and great customer service, then it will bring them back.”
The Upcycling models above all wore outfits found in Harrogate charity stores. Hannah Shackleton from Estate Agents Nicholls Tyreman, wearing the long, gold, sequin dress won the prize for finding the most fabulous outfit.
The line up for Saturday’s catwalk fashion show in Harrogate has been announced with a wide range of the town’s stores involved.
The show has been organised by the Harrogate Business Investment District (BID) and is sponsored by the Victoria Shopping Centre. The Stray Ferret is the media partner.
The show, which is free to attend, will celebrate the town’s mix of retail shops, from independents to national chains.
The main activity will take place between 11am and 5pm in the Victoria Shopping Centre piazza area, with a pop-up catwalk as the focal point of the show.
For fashion-lovers who plan to attend the event, here is the running order for the day:
- 11am – Summer Season – featuring Morgan Clare, Primark, Infinity & Co, Monsoon, M&S, Sophie Likes, Hoopers, Hobbs, Crew Clothing, Sweaty Betty.
- 12pm – Upcycling – featuring an upcycling challenge with – Mumbler, A-Plan Insurance, Nicholls Tyreman and Stray Ferret – all competing have had to find an outfit from Harrogate’s charity shops. The winner announced on the day, as well as a section from Bias.
- 1pm – Wedding – featuring Elite Bridal, Monsoon, Infinity & Co, Hoopers, M&S, LK Bennett and Primark.
- 2pm – Harrogate on the High Street – featuring LK Bennett, Infinity & Co, M&S, Hoopers, Primark.
- 3pm – Activewear – featuring Sweaty Betty, Primark, Harrogate Town, M&S.
- 4pm – Children’s – childrenswear will feature across the show-certificates will be handed out to all the children involved.
Other retailers in the town will also host unique in-house pop-up experiences on the day, including the following sessions:
- LK Bennett – millinery advice from Jenny Roberts from 12-5pm
- Infinity & Co – style and colour counselling in-store and 10% off on the day
- Turkish Baths – hand and arm massages from 10am-3pm
James White, Centre Manager of Victoria Shopping Centre, said,
“We are absolutely thrilled to be hosting the Harrogate Celebration of Fashion on our piazza.
“The fashion show is such a fantastic opportunity to showcase the brilliant retail on offer in Harrogate and support local business, and I am particularly excited that our very own Infinity & Co and Toyland will be featured on the catwalk!”
Matthew Chapman, BID Manager, said:
“This fashion show is a great opportunity to invigorate the Harrogate high street and present the opportunity for retailers to express themselves and their collections.
“It promises to be a brilliant fun-packed day and we hope that everyone who gets chance to take part or spectate, enjoys the event!”
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