Founder of Equal Fashion Magazine takes new styles to the catwalk

A SERIES of creative fashion shows are set to take Northern Ireland by storm as Belfast’s inaugural Alternative Fashion Week launches.

As the brainchild of Belfast photographer Shelley Rodgers the four main shows will cover everything from fairytale, gore and body art to older, mobility impaired and LGBT models.

“Belfast Alternative Fashion Week is an exciting collection of unique and visually spectacular creative catwalk shows.  It’s a first for Northern Ireland and we’re bringing together some of the country’s leading creative industries whilst inviting the best from across Europe to contribute to each show. We’re telling people to expect the unexpected” said Shelley.

For Shelley launching Belfast Alternative Fashion Week in November is a dream come true, as a creative photographer she has a passion to bring alternative looks and styles to the fore.

She said: “In Northern Ireland I feel there’s a misconception that in order to exist in the fashion industry you have to conform to a particular look, be a certain size or fall within a designated age range.

“Almost by accident we seem to conform to one small idea of what the fashion and beauty industry wants or entails and that’s just not true.

“You only have to walk down the street to see the creativity of our fashion industry and see how style and trend is translated by everyone you meet.”

While the show is rooted firmly in Belfast it will have an international flavour with fashion designers, models and photographers as well as makeup artists and musicians from London, Amsterdam, America and throughout Europe.

Events will be staged in the Elmwood Hall, the Europa Hotel, Titanic Suite all culminating in a grand finale in the Whitla Hall with music and an exhibition of the best of the events.

The four main shows are:

Fairytale & Gore Show

Tuesday November 15, 2016

Elmwood Hall, Queen’s University

Experience everything from special effects, horror and gore to fairy fantasy and twilight dreams.

Tickets £30, www.tinyurl.com/BAFWshow1

Body Art ‘n’ Ink Show

Wednesday November 16, 2016

Europa Hotel, Belfast

For some the body is a canvas to explore our creative sides. See the masters at work on this catwalk.

Tickets £30, www.tinyurl.com/BAFWshow2

Titanic Queer Show

Thursday November 17, 2016

The Titanic Suite, Titanic Belfast

Flamboyant and fabulous, this vibrant, colourful show will leave you definitely wanting more.

Tickets £30, www.tinyurl.com/BAFWshow3

The Grand Finale Audio Visual Show

Sunday December 4, 2016

Whitla Hall, Queen’s University, Belfast

A culmination of all shows with an added spectacular audio and visual experience.

Tickets £35, www.tinyurl.com/BAFWshow4

For more information log onto www.equalfashionmagazine.com.

#BAFW16 – @BAFW16 – www.facebook.com/belfastalternativefashionweek

Tina Calder, Excalibur Press.