There are only four days remaining until St Albans’ second fashion week takes over the city and shines a light on all that is stylish.

Herts Advertiser: Ellena OphiraEllena Ophira (Image: Archant)

The newly opened headquarters in French Row will become an activity hub during the busy week, with many of the workshops and all of the industry masterclasses being held there.

Fashion week organisers and volunteers will also be available at the pop up information point.

Founder of St Albans Fashion Week (SAFW) Ellena Ophira (pictured) said: “Even though the cathedral has sold out, our other two shows are just not to be missed.

“The staging is just as spectacular and the shows are just as fabulous as the cathedral.

Herts Advertiser: Inside the St Albans fashion week pop up shopInside the St Albans fashion week pop up shop (Image: Archant)

“From the styling, to the fashion to the amazing elements surrounding the shows-they’re all going to be wonderful.

“The pop up boutiques that we have at Hatfield House and Porsche will give you the chance to shop on the night. There’s live music at both events and each one should be a very special evening.”

“You saw how we transformed the cathedral and we just can’t wait to show you these two new shows. There are so many events on this year and we’ve really worked hard to create something for everyone.”

One particular guest who is extremely excited and will be on the judging panel for SAFW’s Young Designer of the Year award later this year is Julia Yule, executive fashion and beauty editor at Glamour Magazine.

She said: “As a St Albans resident, I am proud to support this fantastic event and look forward to seeing our cathedral transformed.

“It is so wonderful to be celebrating fashion and beauty excellence in our home city.”

Fashion Shows

Monday October 27

Luxe Show, Porsche Centre, Hatfield

Wednesday October 29

Luxury wedding catwalk show, Hatfield House

Friday October 31

St Albans cathedral catwalk show

Our top picks of the week for this year’s fashion week:

Tuesday - Literature and designer label lovers can be entertained at a VIP dinner at Café Rouge in Holywell Hill with local fashion writer Angela Clarke who will be reading excerpts from her best-selling book, Confessions of a Fashionista, which features various accounts of humorous meetings with some of fashion’s greatest, including the late Alexander McQueen.

Wednesday promises several workshops at the fashion week headquarters in French Row including a ‘Rags to Riches Upcycling workshop’ which will teach fashionistas how to repair and repurpose old clothes and breathe new life into them to wear again.

Later in the day from 1pm to 6pm Wheathampstead jeweller Rachel Jeffrey will be bringing her workbench to the HQ and will exhibit her pieces and explain how they are made to visitors. Over in Harpenden style-hunters can enjoy a free in-store fashion show at Oui women’s boutique in Bower’s Parade from 7.30pm.

On Thursday night at 7.30pm, also at HQ, wannabe make-up artists can get a lesson in application and creating the perfect look courtesy of Karen Snook and in association with Stila UK.

On Saturday, November 1, participants can de-clutter their wardrobes and exchange clothes they no longer wear for a pre-loved new look at the French Row HQ. Those who want to get involved just need to bring their unwanted clothes instore leading up to the event and swap them for tokens which can be exchanged on the day for anything else in the room. A pop up beauty parlour and tea and cake will also be available on the day and every penny made from the event will go to fashion week’s chosen charities.

Fashion Week culminates with a day of shopping offers and discounts, with participating retailers across St Albans and Harpenden offering discounts of up to 20 per cent off as well as in store treats.

Masterclass

Another industry masterclass has been added to the fashion week listings.

Natascha Radclyffe-Thomas, course Leader for BA Fashion Marketing at the famous London College of Fashion, will give a talk on the importance of fashion marketing. Natascha said: “We’ve seen the extensive programme for St Albans Fashion Week and are very impressed. We’re delighted to be part of the Creative Next Generation programme and look forward to meeting the young designers at the seminar.”

11.30: Fashion Photography Masterclass with Ben Broomfield and Alastair Strong

13.00: Buying and Merchandising Explained – University of Westminster

15.00: The Merchandising Function and the Customer – University of Westminster

17.15: Designer masterclass – Ann-Kathrin Schubert, Matthew Williamson

18.15: The importance of fashion marketing – Natascha Radclyffe-Thomas, course Leader for BA Fashion Marketing, London College of Fashion

For more information and for all the fashion week listings visit www.stalbansfashionweek.com