A BUZZ of energy and excitement greeted the launch of Flash Fashion’s first ever catwalk show.
Crowds packed into The Lost and Found on Saturday to see the latest spring and summer looks.
Knutsford boutiques teamed up showcase their new designs.
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“I am absolutely flabbergasted to see so many of you here,” said Cllr Stewart Gardiner who welcomed guests.
“This is the first time we have started the event with a catwalk show.
“This is a collaboration between the Town Council, independent fashion businesses and Tom Ford.”
Admission was free and guests were offered complimentary glasses of fizz or orange.
Nikki Cartwright, of Detaljer lifestyle store and cafe, stepped in at the last minute to compere the show.
The models were volunteers or friends of the boutiques taking part.
Students from Knutsford Academy acted as dressers and helped behind the scenes.
Sandra Curties, town centre manager, said: “It was lovely to see the venue packed out.
“It was standing room only with people enjoying their goody bags and taking photos of their favourite outfits, before venturing into town.”
Free parking meant that visitors and shoppers could relax and spend all day browsing round.
Davina Armitage, of Cororanti, said: “It’s been an amazing day.
“I’ve been in Knutsford for 10 years and we still get people asking if we are a new shop.
“This event helps with awareness.
“This is not just a fashion show, it’s a day out.
“The amount of independent shops in our town is amazing. We are really lucky.”
Pauline Leadbetter, owner of Chalk 33, said: “This was my third Flash Fashion event and the most successful.
“My customers enjoyed the fashion show and as soon as it finished, my shop was busy all day with new and existing customers.
“The day raised awareness of the Chalk 33 brand.
“What a lovely day for Knutsford.”
Roberta Dyer, of Roberta Beauty Redefined, said: “We really enjoyed taking part on both a personal and professional level.
“I tried my hand at modelling for The Edit on the catwalk show and afterwards had pop-ups at both Cocaranti and Willow boutiques.
“This worked for both raising awareness of the Roberta brand and selling the Dermalogica range.
“All in all, a fantastic day and a true collaboration across the town’s boutiques.”
Gina Travis, who runs Kanoa Living with daughters Holly and Amy, said: “It makes a huge difference to have an event like this.
“Community support is so gorgeous.”
This shop stocks handmade, ethically sourced jewellery, clothing and accessories from gifted artisans all over the world.
Every purchase gives back to these creative individuals, helping them to live a sustainable life in their communities.
The Princess Street shop donated £10 for every recycled sari sold on Saturday to Cheshire based charity railway children.org.uk.
The money supports children who are abused and exploited on the streets.
Recycling and exchanging clothes was promoted by several stores taking part in the event.
Fiona Jackson-Gray, from Redress, holds swap shops with Katy Rickitt at Dexter and Jones gin bar.
She said: “It’s really taken off and is working brilliantly.
“Everyone has something at the back of the wardrobe they may have worn once or not at all.
“You can bring your items along and swap them.”
Lucy Morris has opened Secondhand Styling UK, a studio to swap pre-loved clothes on Minshull Street.
Lucy said: “It’s time for me to share my lifelong secrets of turning pre-loved pieces into premium pieces.
“It’s all about putting fun back into fashion.”
Sandra added: “We have received extremely positive feedback from everyone involved on the day.
“We do these events to raise the profile of Knutsford as a shopping destination, increase footfall in the town and increase both revenue and brand awareness.”
Flash Fashion was sponsored by Knutsford Dry Cleaners.
Mobberley Road Dental Clinic sponsored the catwalk show.
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