JAWS dropped as weird and wonderful outfits from some of the world’s hottest designers took to the catwalk in Oxford for a fashion spectacular.
More than 200 fashionistas packed into the Randolph Hotel’s grand ballroom to see some of the world’s craziest clothing creations, including two pieces made famous by the outlandishly dressed Lady Gaga.
Among the 84 cutting-edge designs on show were dresses without arm holes – too outrageous and impractical for even the singer to wear.
About 40 designers, including Lady Gaga favourites Ara Jo and Yvonne Lau, saw their designs greeted by gasps and rapturous applause during the one-hour event on Tuesday night, the showpiece of Oxford Fashion Week.
Organiser Carl Anglim said: “It was great to see so many people interested in a fashion show like this and that is a good sign to us that we are doing the right thing.
“Some of the architectural pieces are mind-blowing and it was an interesting contrast to see these outlandish pieces against such a traditional backdrop.
“For some people this was their first fashion show but this gave them the chance to see a show, enjoy it and realise a catwalk show can be enjoyed by anyone, not just a niche group.”
The week also saw the debut of Ukrainian designer and artist Zinaida Likhacheva whose collection was filmed to be aired on TV in her home country.
She said: “Oxford Fashion Week is a young event, so it was the perfect place to show my first collection and show people about Ukrainian culture.”
Max Mason, owner of the Big Bang restaurant in Walton Street, who was among the crowd, said: “Some of the dresses were jaw-dropping and it was great to see a show like this put on in Oxford.
“We have had the odd individual fashion or lingerie show but nothing that has brought together shows on this scale.
“Some of the dresses were fantastic. I was there with a freelance fashion writer and blogger who was saying some of these designers are making serious inroads into the London fashion world.”
Oxford’s second fashion week ends tonight with a closing party featuring an art, photography and clothing exhibition at the Cherwell Boathouse, Bardwell Road, from 7.30pm.
For tickets, priced £15, email tickets@oxfordfashion week.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here