Falkirk's very own feast of fashion hits the catwalk

Lauren Ferguson of Sisters and Margaret Foy of the Howgate Shopping Centre at the launch of Falkirk Fashion Week and Model Search Scotland
Picture: Michael Gillen — Lauren Ferguson of Sisters and Margaret Foy of the Howgate Shopping Centre at the launch of Falkirk Fashion Week and Model Search Scotland Picture: Michael Gillen

They aim to hit the catwalk to put Falkirk on the fashion map and have organised ten days of events in May to highlight all the town centre has to offer.

And if that wasn’t enough there is also the chance for members of the public to take part in a fashion show organised by the Howgate Shopping Centre with the chance to go on to win its Model Search Scotland contest.

The initial idea for Falkirk Fashion Week came from Lauren Ferguson, the charismatic owner of Sisters Boutique in Lint Riggs.

She was looking for a way to mark her 20th year in business and decided it was the perfect opportunity to rally others trading in the town centre – multi-nationals and entrepreneurs – to do something that would make it more attractive to shoppers and visitors to the area.

She said: “I wanted to do something that would help regenerate the town centre back to more what it was like when I started trading two decades ago.

“I was also keen to raise as much money for Strathcarron Hospice as we are charity partners.

“My initial idea was to organise a fashion show – Sisters for Strathcarron – at the Macdonald Inchyra Hotel on Thursday, May 19. But as I was getting other people to come on board for this event I realised that there was the opportunity to do much more and Falkirk Fashion Week was born.”

Over 30 businesses have already signed on to be involved in the fashion extravaganza by running events and promotions during the campaign.

Showing how people are already working together, Behind the Wall has agreed to sponsor the fizz reception at Sisters’ show, while Hair Dot Comb will be doing the models’ hair.

Lauren added: “We’re launching with our fashion show and ending with the Howgate’s on May 28. It’s going to be a fabulous time and people coming into the town centre can expect great deals and tie ups from all the businesses involved.

“People have already mentioned some great ideas of how they are getting onboard. It may be Falkirk Fashion Week but nowadays fashion encompasses lots of things: clothing,  accessories, make-up,  hairdressing, food and drink.

“There definitely will be something for everyone.”