Capital is new height of fashion
EDINBURGH will stage its own version of London Fashion Week for the first time this year in an effort to attract the industry抯 top designers and models.

Organisers are hoping to exploit the capital抯 rising fashion profile which has been boosted by the arrival of such stores as Harvey Nichols, Emporio Armani and Louis Vuitton.

Venues such as the National Gallery of Scotland and the Assembly Rooms could host the events which would initially run over a three- to four-day period. Student designers from Heriot Watt University would be among the participants in an attempt to nurture up-and-coming Scottish talent.

David McGrain, the organiser, from the Edinburgh City Centre Management Company, said the capital would have its own event when London hosts its autumn fashion week in October.

He said: "We抮e not looking to challenge London Fashion Week, as that already has a well-established reputation. The initial aim is to attract local consumers, showcase the city centre and give the retail industry a shot in the arm. But eventually Edinburgh will hopefully be an established part of the fashion calendar.

"We are putting together a business plan and we will then approach sponsors and venues with the idea. Over the last few years Edinburgh has transformed itself as a retail city with the arrival of well-known brands. George Street is now one of the best streets for clothes shopping in Scotland if not the United Kingdom."

Mr McGrain added that they would also work with Glasgow should it want to put on a similar event.

"There is no question of being parochial about this," he said. "Glasgow has put on high- profile fashion events in the past and we would welcome their involvement."

Kirsty Wilson, a spokeswoman for Heriot-Watt University, said an Edinburgh fashion week could showcase young designers.

She said: "Although we抳e not seen the business plans as yet, we support the principle of it. Every June, Heriot-Watt school of textiles and design at Galashiels puts on a fashion show which could become part of a fashion week in Edinburgh. It would be good to have representation from the higher-education section.

"Our students have gone on to work for such designers as Gucci, Jasper Conran, Donna Karan and Calvin Klein.

"Although there is a great deal of focus on the bigger names, in Edinburgh a key reason for the city抯 success is the thriving independent designers. These would also be important participants in an Edinburgh fashion week."

Belinda Dickson, the Scottish designer who runs the cashmere chain Belinda Robertson, added: "I would fully support an attempt to establish a fashion week in Edinburgh and we have thought of doing something during the Festival ourselves."

A spokesman for Harvey Nichols said:

"Hosting a fashion week in Edinburgh depends entirely on attracting the top designers up to launch their collections."

In a separate development, Edinburgh will officially take part in London Fashion Week spring event next month with a party for about 150 guests thrown by sponsors Mo & Chandon at Rick Bar in Frederick Street.