SS16 Style Show - Show 2 Blog Report

Still flourishing from the beautiful collections and fun dance routines of show 1, after a short wait it was time for another amazing instalment from the Style Show.

River Island

River Island are always a brand known for offering something a little different and the higher end of high street fashion and the outfits to open the show did not disappoint. The catwalk was awash with colour to feature the paint by numbers trend - one the easier transition options between spring and summer. Moving the monochrome of the winter into the new season, the trend uses a monochrome base that is lifted with pops of colour. The trend is certainly an easy style to adopt and the models offered a range of means to do so from colourful accessory additions through to full colour jumpsuits for the more daring.

The dance routine was a fun way to open the show and must admit River Island’s Mini kidswear collection was a cute addition with matching outfits for the male and boy models on the stage.

CMD and Dorothy Perkins

Denim is a major element of almost anyone’s wardrobe but not always what you would think of first for the summer. However, the next section of the show presented a new way to wear denim this season and certainly caught my interest - especially with the ever unpredictable British weather! Featuring flowing dresses and tunics partnered with the ever dependable leggings from CMD, the outfits really showed what the term summer-weight denim means and can still look stylish. Outfits from Dorothy Perkins added an extra pop of colour with the denim and provided the three top styles for denim with the pinny dress (prefect for the beach), cropped length jeans for those cooler summer nights and the pencil skirt with a little 90’s revival these were certainly styles for any age.

Yours, Bad Rhino, Funky Fashions and Clarks

Clarks are no longer just a destination for ‘sensible’ or school shoes and the models certainly grabbed by attention with their footwear. Models wore neutral shade sandals featuring block heels or wedge - perfect for the summer and a reminder to book that pedicure! Occasion shoes were presented on silver trays to add a touch of theatre and highlighting that pastel and neutral tones are key for this season.

New to Telford, this was the first year to feature Yours Clothing and Bad Rhino. A welcome return for plus size retail to the area, the store has been a hit since its arrival and with the collections on the catwalk it was easy to see why. Featuring flowing yet flattering styles in pale shades the outfits certainly brought a spring feeling to the catwalk. Telford is also the only centre to stock the Bad Rhino collection in store which has been a bonus to many men who still prefer to buy direct than browse online.

Funky Fashions also featured with a signature tunic featuring an eye catching pattern but illustrating how the tunic really can work for any season.

Debenhams

Blue is a big colour this spring and Debenhams showcased this well for a range of seasons. Featuring the culottes for women and girls, the styling was cool with the combinations of denim and cotton tees. A stand out moment came from another trend this season - the shirt dress. In bold orange it certainly stood out against the blues and with its semi fitted style it did catch my interest and many in the crowd.

Jackets also featured on the stage focusing on neutral shades to compliment the blues including top trend bomber style and modified blazer too. Women’s footwear also featured the this season’s popular style the shoe-boot - creating a peep toe style and great transition from the dependable ankle boots of the winter they are top of my list for my wardrobe. The shoe-boot can be worn with a variety of styles too offering more diversity with my accessories.

Monsoon, Ann Summers and Specsavers

Monsoon always has beautiful creations and the summer is one of the best seasons for their collections. Featuring wonderful colour combinations that I wish I would think of for my colouring books and ethnic patterns, this season is as expected from the store. Not a typical destination for beachwear, it was lovely to see their collections to wear with swimwear for a bit of cover up.

Ann Summers is not your usual first thought for swimwear but the show made me think again and with Vicky Pattison as their face of swimwear for 2016, the collection certainly surprised many. Using plain colours combined with delicate and interesting cover up options including lace playsuit, mesh sundress and Accessorize lazercut style sarong, the bikini collection would encourage anyone to get summer body ready. It certainly created a new fashion focus for Ann Summers and will be inspiring many holiday wardrobes lists.

Specsavers completed the outfits for this section of the show with a wonderful collection of bold, wide rimmed sunglasses added extra thoughts for those sunny days. With new brands arriving this season in their new store there were plenty of ideas to tempt the crowds.

Primark and Claires

As the final section of the show, Primark and Claires were a fantastic combination. Both are notorious for their fashion forward collections and with a distinct spring/summer and festival vibe, the outfits did not disappoint. Featuring a combination of blues, denims, mustard, white and red, the outfits combined showcased many key trend styles for the season while showing how well the fashions work together as the models gathered on stage for the finale.

Crochet detail for women and girls featured across all styles to add texture or delicate finish to items to bring that summer festival feel. Dungarees are back as the nod to the 90’s continues adding another style for the top summer denim trends.

Selfies featured as part of the fun on stage showcasing a range of products from Claires alongside their fashion accessories to show the range of products to be found.

The second show was as colourful and fun as the first and combined the shows have left plenty of inspiration for the crowds. Whether fashion focused or simply interested in ways to style for the season, the style show is certainly a must see!

Looking for more from the catwalk - then click here to see the highlight videos and beauty trend guides on the YouTube Channel!