A DESIGN
FOR LIFE
Now in its fourth year, Fashion
Showcase Wales is bigger and
better than ever. Helen Jauregui
caught up with organiser Kate
Handley to find out what Wales’
fashion talent had in store
I
f you view catwalk fashion as a pursuit reserved for those with heavy wallets
and friends in high places, then prepare to be seduced by Fashion Showcase
Wales. This unique annual event, now in its fourth year, remains a highlight
of the Welsh art calendar and aims to showcase artistic talent across a broad
spectrum. As creative director Kate Handley explains: “The concept grew out of a
need for a huge core event to platform Welsh talent. Many gifted Welsh artists move
away to London. There’s so much talent here but no stage for it.”
An experienced model, Handley developed the show to move against conventional
expectations of fashion: “If the show was a magazine it would be Dazed and Con-
fused. It’s edgy, arty and cool; it’s not exclusive. In fact, I would say it’s exclusively
inclusive!” Presented by bilingual actress Erin Richards, the showcase will feature
250 models, independent market stalls, quirky choreography, inventive set designs,
DJs and live music from The New 1920 and Johnny Cage And The Voodoo Groove.
The entire project uses in-depth, conceptual themes inspired by Handley’s interests
in haute couture, graduate shows and visits to London Fashion Week. All of the
featured designs and artwork have been created exclusively for the project, which
Handley is adamant will appeal to a diverse audience: “You can look in-depth at the
themes and be drawn in, but you can also simply come along and be entertained
– the show is visually powerful.”
Those with a taste for theatrical fashion will be impressed by Space Book, a collec-
tion featuring 80s power dressing-inspired metallic outfits, a UV-coloured rocket
ship and body painting. Ultimately, however, the show strives to delve beyond the
dangerously pointy shoulder pads to inspire audience members with socio-politi-
cal commentary. When describing her inspiration for the Love Is A Battlefield
collection, Handley recalls reading a newspaper story about a deceased soldier,
only to discover an article celebrating vintage and military-inspired fashion on the
following page. “People look at the 1940s as a glamorous time but in fact, this was a
dark era,” she argues. “People died for our freedom and we’ve integrated this into
fashion. The collection opens with Churchill’s “we shall fight them on the beaches”
speech and we’ve worked with Atrium students to create customized pieces based
on screen prints of genuine war love letters. We’ve looked beyond vintage fashion to
the lives of those who actually wore it.”
Another unique aspect of this year’s showcase is Time To Shine, which is a project
designed in partnership with Llamau, a charity working to find homes for homeless
young people in South Wales. Through localised programs, the show has provided
artistic opportunities for homeless teenagers. The result is Fluorescent Adolescent:
a vivid segment featuring fashion designed by the teenage artists featuring hip-hop,
breakdancers and a strong emphasis on youth culture.
Arranging for a group of under-20s to devise the opening collection for Wales’ larg-
est fashion event might seem a risky proposition, but Handley is confident about the
positive contribution of these young designers: “The show is about making individu-
ality shine. This project gives people the opportunity to express themselves and turn
a negative into a positive.” Handley is clearly proud of these aims: “We’ve got some
really big name sponsors, and if they’re impressed, I’ll feel I’ve achieved something
– I’m so happy with all the contributors. I can’t describe the feeling on the night…
I love having a thousand people under one roof, really enjoying themselves.”
Fashion Showcase Wales, Coal Exchange, Cardiff Bay. Sun 6 Dec. Info: 07900
818437 /
www.fashionshowcasewales.co.uk
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