Bath in Fashion 2014 puts Bath Firmly on the Fashion Map

Bath in Fashion 2014 provided the city with a fantastic week of stylish and inspirational events, making it one of Bath's most popular festivals.

This success of this year's festival has firmly put the city on the fashion map attracting even more high profile speakers and media interest than in previous years. Bath showed off its fashion credentials as a stylish, inventive and elegant retail destination with a packed programme of high profile talks, catwalks, workshops, fairs and exhibitions. Bath in Fashion's Chair Sarah Mansfield, Director of Milsom Place, said, “Bath in Fashion is unique, it celebrates the city as well as fashion. Not only was the architecture of Bath designed to show off the fashions,  today’s combination a stunning backdrop,  young creative talent,  the best Fashion Museum in the world and an amazing shopping offer,  we also have a brilliant group of businesses and individuals who work together to achieve something that we believe is unmatched.” 

The much loved event is managed by the Bath BID and Andrew Cooper, Chief Executive of The Bath BID Company said “Bath In Fashion would not be the success it has been without the wide support of over 100 businesses along with sponsors and partners.  It is this spirit of collaboration that the Business Improvement District has encouraged and harnessed to create a high profile event that is good for the city and good for the businesses involved.  Retailers have been quick to comment on the noticeable increase in sales, footfall and vibrancy in the city last week and this is testimony to the hard work of all those involved in putting on a wide and diverse programme of events.”

Barbara Hulanicki who founded BIBA 50 years ago, in conversation with Hilary Alexander, former Fashion Director of The Telegraph, was one of the hottest tickets of the week in the Bath in Fashion hub in the Octagon at Milsom Place. Other speakers included a rare interview with Meadham Kirchoff by Sarah Mower, contributing editor to American Vogue; talks by Mary Homer, MD of Topshop; Jason Basmajian, Creative Director of Gieves & Hawkes; and Clarks’ Creative Director, Paolo Gabrielli, with Creative Bath; and a master class by leading interior designer Nina Campbell.

Camila Batmanghelidh gave a talk chaired by Viv Groskop on fashion as armoury in support of her charity, Kids Company.  Yarn bombing arrived with style in the centre of the city with 3000 roses wrapped columns thanks to Emma Leith and her industrious group of volunteers who crocheted the floral graffiti installation in a series of special workshops. Cloud Direct presented Kids Company with a cheque for £500 for the sponsored roses as well as ticket sales from the talk.

New for 2014, the Bath in Fashion Style Pavilion in partnership with the Bath Chronicle, and a young fashion fair at the Octagon by Selvedge Magazine were both popular additions. The Pavilion offered hands- on sessions  like needle felting with Emma Leith and festival headdresses with the Tallulah Rose Flower School plus mini massages by the Spa at the Royal Crescent Hotel; and hair advice from Artizan, David Maxwell and No 3.Hairdressers.

Sponsors were keen to support one of the city’s most high profile festivals. Sharon Love, General Manager of The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa said “The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa was delighted to be headline sponsor for Bath in Fashion 2014. It coincided with the completion of a multi-million pound renovation of the hotel so the timing could not have been better.  We were delighted to host so many important journalists and designers during the week of Bath in Fashion.”

Nicholas Wylde created a show stopping finale to the Designer Catwalk Show in the Assembly Rooms curated by London Fashion Week producer John Walford who created a shocking pink catwalk surrounded by flowers growing out of real turf. “I am happy to have supported Bath in Fashion over the past couple of years.  It’s such a wonderful platform to showcase my jewellery alongside fashion and the latest trends.  Bath is renowned for its beauty and it is great that local businesses can contribute and support everything the city has to offer to local residents and visitors.“ commented Nicholas Wylde.

Lizzie Heffer, Director of Marketing for Thrings. said “Supporting the ‘50 years of Biba’ event was an exciting opportunity for Thrings; Bath in Fashion has grown considerably in the five years since its inception, and its ability to attract key players in the fashion industry – including many from London – highlights the city’s growing reputation for creativity, design, innovation and style. The event has now become a permanent fixture on Bath’s events calendar, and its association with the world of fashion and retail mirrors Thrings’ credentials in these sectors in Bath, London and beyond.”

Media activity managed by Hancock Communications featured coverage in Bath and regional media including BBC Points West; a live outside broadcast by BBC Radio Bristol; a bespoke programme for 80 Woman & Home readers; coverage in magazines like Red, Marie Claire, The Lady and Sunday Times Style Magazine, extensive online coverage including the Mail Online  plus a Times Plus competition to win a stay in Bath which generated 16,000 entries.

Celebrity appearances included star of made in Chelsea Jamie Laing who was at Milsom Place to support his pop up Candy Kittens store and Michael Eavis who made a special appearance at the Bath in Fashion Style Pavilion to reveal designs for the Glastonbury 2014 T shirts.