fashionUK

Fashion Market

Each year the non-profit organisation Alternative Arts, gives new designers the opportunity to show their work to an audience of students, buyers, friends, journalists and the general public. Alongside the daily catwalk shows, Alternative Fashion Week includes an on-site Fashion Market where designers and labels sell their wares from 12noon-3pm daily. With sponsorship from funky hair company Salon Selectives, this year there are more stalls than ever.

A quick dash around the fashion market reveals jewellery, make-up, footwear, original vintage clothes and skate boarding wear. At the Lewis Originals stall you can buy 1973 Efra shirts (in their original packaging) for just £15 along with Elvis CB T-shirts, and safari suits in polyester and viscose - big news for summer. If you are a snow boarding fan looking for stylish gear to take to the slopes, check out Sharon Young's 'Forgotten Tribes' label. Fusing American Indian imagery with functional fleece, cotton and Lycra, she produces snow boarding hats, tops and coats in earthy shades. Amanda Lloyd left college last June and decided to experiment by creating her own footwear range. 'Hooked' is a collection of slip-ons, loafers and sandals for men - all inspired by fish. "I was researching fabrics at college and found that Italian and Spanish footwear companies were investigating using fish skin," she explains. "So I decided to mimic the idea using leather." Her shoes feature fish fin eyelets and rope straps. Cassandra Postema's stall is called 'One-Offs' because, "I only make one of each garment, so you always know you're buying something unique." Alongside a few hand-chosen vintage pieces, her own designs are an eclectic mix of recycled items and originals. Check out her tie-dyed velvet jackets and trousers, satin mini dresses and bleached tops. For a mad make-up selection with a Japanese edge, visit the La La stall. Star Gazer make-up and temporary hair colours in bold shades are available along with a great selection of La La T-shirts and House of Fabulous dresses and tops. Finally, for mind-blowing accessories and jewellery visit Jacqui Ives' stall where tiny bags, pebbled earrings and rings as well as necklaces are all made from knitted wire. Despite the coarse nature of the fabric, the pieces are delicate , soft to touch and look brilliant. With prices from £5, you'd be a fool to walk on by!