Edinburgh Fashion Week hailed a huge success

Models on the catwalk during the Jenners/House of Fraser S/S16 collections fashion show in the marquee at the Mound. Picture: Ian Rutherford

More than 11,500 people attended the launch weekend of Edinburgh Fashion Week on March 5-6, a 15 per cent increase on last year’s audience.

That saw The Mound transformed into a buzzing style hub as fashion fans flocked from across Scotland and beyond.

It showcased collaborations with more than 25 of the city’s top fashion retailers and boutiques, including John Lewis, Debenhams, LK Bennett, Jigsaw, Oliver Bonas, GAP and River Island.

One of the highlights was a spectacular show hosted with breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, organisers of The MoonWalk Scotland.

That saw an array of Scottish designers and celebrities, including The Bay City Rollers, Lorraine Kelly and Judy Murray design a collection of bras which were auctioned live to the highest bidder.

More than £1400 was raised on the night for the charity through both donations and the auction.

Amongst the other attractions during the week were debuts for two children’s fashion shows, featuring the latest looks and tips for young fashionistas, and a “Let’s Talk Fashion” panel, which brought some of Scotland’s top fashion figures together to share their industry insights.

Other highlights included a series of styling sessions hosted by Epersonal shopper and stylist Satisfashion, whilst an Edinburgh College of Art Postgraduate Show, featuring a raft of emerging designers, drew in the crowds to close the weekend in style.

Following the launch, thousands of shoppers took advantage of exclusive week-long promotions that ran across the city, and an Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show brought the week to a sensational finale on Friday and Saturday in The Biscuit Factory.

Roddy Smith, chief executive of Essential Edinburgh, said: “Edinburgh Fashion Week has been a terrific start to our year of events. We have surpassed the attendance totals from last year’s launch weekend and in doing so have created a wonderful platform for all our retailers to showcase their spring/summer styles for Edinburgh locals and residents.”