This story is sponsored by Victoria Shopping Centre.

Excitement has started to build in Harrogate town centre with the Celebration of Fashion set to take over next week.

The event will be back on the Piazza outside the Victoria Shopping Centre on Saturday, May 18, from 11am onwards, to highlight Harrogate’s retail and fashion offer to visitors and residents alike.

With a wide selection of Harrogate retailers taking part from independent and national sectors, the event promises to be a fantastic celebration of the town’s excellent businesses.

Following feedback from BID Member businesses, there will be three catwalks held over the course of the day, displaying outfits in categories including ‘Summer Season’, ‘Activewear’, ‘A Day At The Races’, ‘Harrogate on the High Street’, ‘Prom Season’ and ‘Wedding Season’.

Each walk will showcase every category in the celebration to ensure nobody misses out on viewing the clothing and accessories on display.

Not only will there be a range of elegant outfits on show, but in between the walks two presentations from Space, West Park Antiques and Rituals will wow the crowds as they wait for the models to re-take the stage.

A spokesperson for Victoria Shopping Centre, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to be hosting the Harrogate Celebration of Fashion on the Victoria Shopping Centre piazza for the second year running.

“The event brings together and celebrates some of Harrogate’s best retail – and it is an event we are so proud to be a part of. We have no doubt this year’s event will be another huge success.”

Sponsorship opportunities for each of the categories in this year’s Celebration of Fashion remain open. Included in the set price will be presenter mentions on the day, dedicated social media posts and adverts on the big screen.

The Stray Ferret will resume their role as media sponsors for the Harrogate Celebration of Fashion 2024.

Any further questions ahead of the event should be sent to the Harrogate BID team on info@harrogatebid.co.uk.

The organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show are on the hunt for catwalk models for its 2024 fashion shows.

Following last year’s shows where rookie models walked alongside professionals, Yorkshire Agricultural Society is now seeking farmers or agricultural workers to take part in its 2024 ‘farm to fashion’ shows.

Those wanting to strut their stuff need to apply online here by 10am on Friday April 19.

Two fashion shows a day will take place on the sheep shearing stage at 12 and 4.30pm every day apart from Friday.

Two amateur models from last year, Luke Johnson and Clarke Doughney, will once again feature on the runway this July.

Mr Johnson, an agricultural and forestry contractor, said:

“I got in touch because being in the shows last year was brilliant; I absolutely loved it and would encourage anyone to give it a try. Bernadette, the fashion show coordinator, is a great teacher and, along with the professional models, she was so encouraging that it soon became fun.

“What I’d say to anyone thinking of entering the competition is: “just do it… you’ll enjoy it and who knows where it could lead! I’ve even had some modelling work from it.”

Mr Doughney, an apprentice engineer, said:

“It still surprises me how much I got from the whole experience, including meeting people I’d never have come across as well as working alongside TV stars such as Peter Wright, the Yorkshire Vet, who was great.”

The shows will feature collections from national and regional designers, including a selection of brand partners from British Wool, highlighting the important role of UK sheep farmers as the starting point for fashion.

Tickets for the 165th show, which takes place from July 9 to 12, are on sale now.

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This story is sponsored by Harrogate BID

A young Harrogate man has swapped his rural work for a glamorous four-day modelling gig at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show.

Clarke Doughney,19, grew up in a family of gamekeepers who kept pheasants and rabbits, as well as training cocker spaniels to work since he was 6.

During this year’s show, however, Mr Doughney has joined eleven other amateurs to try his hand at modelling.

For the first time, the annual fashion show, invited local people with agricultural links to model,  wanting “real people with a background in the industry.”

After posting the modelling job on social media, show organisers Yorkshire Agricultural Society, amassed over 80 applicants. Those with the closest links to the industry and the show were chosen to model.

“Sheep to Chic”- which takes place daily at 12.30pm on the sheep shearing stage — focusses on the sheep wool industry and showcases brands such as Brook Taverner and British Wool.

Some of the female models in action.

Jenn Chow, social media executive of Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said:

“We wanted local people in the industry to have a platform to showcase their businesses.

“The Yorkshire Agricultural Society is all about giving back to the community, so that’s what we wanted to do.”

Four professional models also took part in the fashion show, but fellow agricultural models have day jobs as wool cleaners to sheep farmers.

Mr Doughney said:

“It’s been so brilliant and the people have been great to work with.

“I’d say it’s been carnage…but in the best way.

“Who know, I might even try to pursue modelling now – but I suppose I can never use getting dressed as an excuse to be late again after this!”

The fashion show is free to attend and is located near the brown gate.

Tickets for the show have now sold out. Find more information about what’s on here.

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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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Harrogate is to celebrate its mix of retail shops with a fashion show in the town centre.

The Celebration of Fashion event on Saturday, May 20, will be hosted by Harrogate BID and is sponsored by the Victoria Shopping Centre. The Stray Ferret will cover the show as media partner.

The aim of the fashion show is to showcase what Harrogate has to offer in terms of high street chains and independent boutiques, and to invigorate the high street.

A pop-up catwalk will be installed in the town’s Victoria Shopping Centre piazza area and retailers will host in-house pop-up experiences to attract customers.

Morgan Clare, Hoopers, Specsavers, Lush and Primark have already signed up to take part, demonstrating the level of interest in the event from the outset.

Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said:

“Harrogate is renowned for being home to many retailers that offer visitors the opportunity to purchase the latest trends in fashion, whatever the occasion.

“What could be better than retailers coming together to display their unique offering and for visitors to head to the piazza and take a tour of the Harrogate Celebration of Fashion’s programme of events – to see what fashion suits them?”

The fashion show will run from 10am to 5pm.

Retailers wishing to showcase their ranges, from wedding collections to activewear, vintage to seasonal outfits, are invited to secure their place by emailing info@harrogatebid.co.uk.

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