FRONT ROW GOES OPERA 2012 FASHION SHOW

It was quite something ... a show like no other! 

It all really is a bit of a blur ... nine months of rather intense organising, writing an insane amount of emails, having tons of meetings, fittings, uttering words of encouragement, issueing deadlines; people dropping out and new people joining in ... that's what FRONT ROW really is about and that's what makes it so exciting: anyone who wants to be involved will be given the opportunity, 100% homegrown talent with designers, creatives, hair and make up artists, models, volunteers, photographers, production team members and guests alike all pulling together their amazing talents, visions and their support to contribute to a show that has become one of the most glamorous community projects, dare I say, ever.

Every year I can hardly believe how the show has grown. It is an entity in itself, a living breathing thing that is more than the sum of the individual, truly magical, and I feel very fortunate to be there watching it all unfold.

FRONT ROW GOES OPERA 2012

This years event was showcasing 13 collections inspired by the Opera, Grand Gesture, Diva Stardom and Ballet on the background of some of the most beautiful pieces of classical music - with a twist. 

THE VENUE: 

DE LA WARR PAVILION 

BEXHILL

(pronounced "Dellaware", yes I know it sounds wrong!)

(photo: Paul Mansfield)

THE PRESENTER:

Hannah Louise Palmer

THE DESIGNERS:

ADAM RICHARD CHARLES FROST

contact: arfcouture@live.com

 

"Cleopatra - Golden Diva

I Shall Not Be Triumphed Over"

(photos: Paul Mansfield)

PARKWOOD 6TH FORM GRAPHIC DESIGN

"The Pearl Fisher"

(photo: Malcolm Tam)

(photo: Paul Mansfield)

KATHARINE WALLINGER MILLINERY

"Madame Butterfly - The Humming Chorus"

(photo: Malcolm Tam)

LEIDA NASSIR-POUR (Warp and Weft)

"Chess"

(photo: Malcolm Tam)

FRANCIS FIFI MILLINERY

contact: francisfifi.co.uk

"Malcolm McLaren Operaa House"

(photos: Paul Mansfield)

TARA DEIGHTON

SOUTH COAST SAMPLES

contact: southcoastsamples.co.uk

"Magic Flute"

 (photo: Paul Mansfield)

(photo: Malcolm Tam)

MERLE JEFFRIES and RHIANNA ELLIS

"Operatic Androgyny"

 (photo: Paul Mansfield)

DAISY WEST

"Swanlake Madness"

(photos: Paul Mansfield)

VICKY TURNER, SAMUEL LEWIS and GRETA KAVIYA

"Carmen"

(photos: Paul Mansfield)

ZIENNA HAYNES

"Gothic Rock Opera"

 (photo: Paul Mansfield)

SAMUEL CHESTER

"Metamorphosis"

(photo: Paul Mansfield)

FREYA VON STRAPP

 PAPERCOUTURE

contact: whiskillustration@yahoo.co.uk

"The Firebird"

(photo: Malcolm Tam)

(photo: AveryStallionPhotography)

(photo: AveryStallionPhotgraphy)

WITH

PERFORMANCES BY

Jenny Edbrooke

Performance piece 'Smalls'

(photo: Paul Mansfield)

JENNY MILLER

Opera

"Carmen"

(photos: Paul Mansfield)

THE TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST

"Swan Lake"

with styling and make up by Conor Reading

 cravingvogue.tumblr.com

(photo: Paul Mansfield)

May I express my sincerest thanks to everyone who has been part of FRONT ROW one way or another over the years because it wouldn't have happened without the involvement of every single person and their enthusiasm and trust. 

An extraordinary event, and here are some FRONT ROW numbers:

13 amazing designers

1 stunning venue

0 sponsors

100% homegrown talent

63 models

9 hair stylists

6 handsome guys' opening performance of a male version of Swanlake for Terrence Higgins Trust

600 seats capacity

1 enthusiastic DLW events team

12 glue sticks emptied to make Paper Couture gowns

1 group of students currently studying fashion at Sussex Coast College

7 different Operas featured in the collections

1 full time &

2 part-time Front Row organising team members

8 volunteers on the night plus

12 helping hands from the Pestalozzi International Village

7 6th Form students at Parkwood showing their designs on the catwalk

3 winning designs of the Charity Shop Challenge with a total of

4 awards

6 generous prizes in the Terrence Higgins Trust Raffle

21 vintage designer dresses for sale at the St. Michael's Hospice Charity Shop stall

300 brochures printed

110 VIP handmade goodie bags

0 profit

3 cameras to record footage

7 photographers

1052 emails written in the process and

9 months preparation for the show

1 combined months of sleepless nights

∞ enthusiasm and dedication

We thank

All our designers for their hard work and dedication in creating such fantastic catwalk pieces

All our guests for their continuous support and belief in us

All our hair and make up artists for lending their talents

All volunteers and helpers without whom this event could not happen

Everyone who took part in event the smallest way …

FRONT ROW is a collage of extraordinary people, their talents and love for fashion.