Moonwalk organisers stage their first ever fashion show in Edinburgh

IT is the event that sees thousands of women don brightly-coloured bras to walk through Scotland's capital each year.

Now in its second year, Edinburgh Fashion Week is making a highly anticipated return to the city to inspire Scottish shoppers. Picture: contributed

Now organisers of the Moonwalk are to stage their first ever fashion show in Edinburgh – with the help of leading celebrities and sports personalities.

They will be creating specially designed underwear which will be paraded down the catwalk by professions models at a special event next to the Scottish National Gallery on The Mound.

The brightly-decorated bras will then be auctioned off to help in the battle against breast cancer at the event, which is expected to be one of the highlights of a new Edinburgh Fashion Week festival.

Past Moonwalkers include TV presenter Lorraine Kelly. Picture: TSPL

Walk the Walk, the charity which has raised more than £18 million through its Moonwalk events in Scotland, will be staging its first ever fashion show in Edinburgh on the opening day of Edinburgh Fashion Week.

Details of the high-profile figures who will be taking part in the fashion show are being kept under wraps. However, previous backers of the Moonwalk in Edinburgh include TV presenters Lorraine Kelly and Michelle McManus.

Edinburgh Fashion Week, which runs from 5-13 March, will get under way with two days of pop-up fashion shows, design showcases and workshops with industry experts.

Other highlights include two children’s fashion shows and a showcase of work created by design graduates from Edinburgh College of Art.

Novelist, journalist and presenter Martel Maxwell on the Moonwalk. Picture: TSPL

More than 25 high street retailers and upmarket boutiques in the city will be involved in the fashion village and running special offers throughout the week.

It will culminate with the Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show, which will be staged over two days at The Biscuit Factory, a new hub for the creative industries in Leith, in aid of The Rock Trust, a homeless charity for 16-25 year-olds.

Edinburgh Fashion Week is one of a number of initiatives instigated by the Essential Edinburgh business group to boost the profile of the city and bring in extra visitors outwith the peak tourism seasons.

These include the ongoing art installation in St Andrew Square, which has seen an army of dancing “stick-men” take over the public space after dark, a restaurant festival and free outdoor screenings in the run-up to the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Past Moonwalkers include TV presenter Lorraine Kelly. Picture: TSPL

Roddy Smith, chief executive of Essential Edinburgh, said: “Edinburgh Fashion Week is a wonderful opportunity for diverse city centre fashion retailers to come together and showcase their offerings this spring. The mix of high street favourites, chic boutiques and new up and coming design talent will offer trends for everyone’s tastes.

“Coming into the beautiful city centre, whether to shop, eat, drink or be entertained, is a wonderful experience and our five annual events help to encourage residents and locals to re-discover what they love about Edinburgh.”

Among the backers of Edinburgh Fashion Week are Jenners, John Lewis, Debenhams, French Connection, 21st Century Kilts, Anta, LK Bennett, Oliver Bonas, Just G Boutique and Marina Rinaldi.

Alan Thomlinson, store manager of Jenners, said: “Edinburgh Fashion Week has a fantastic mix of retailers taking part and we’re really looking forward to showing visitors what Edinburgh has to offer in terms of style.”