Fashion designers from across the Highlands and Islands will be showcasing their work and encouraging others to consider a career in the industry as part of the goHI creative industries event in Inverness from 8th until 10th September.

The 'Fashioning an Idea' event takes place on Friday 9th at the Royal Highland Hotel, where there will be an exhibition of work from fashion designers based in the Highlands and Islands from 2pm, followed by an evening meeting to discuss the future of fashion in the region.

Leading the discussion will be two young fashion designers, Kirsteen Stewart from Orkney and Elena Corchero from Spain.

Kirsteen graduated this year from Northumbria University in Newcastle. As part of her four-year degree course, she spent six months working in New York.  After graduating she returned to Orkney and is currently setting up her own business in printed garments and accessories.

Elena, a freelance designer, has worked in fashion in her native Spain as well as Germany and London before working with Medialab Europe in Dublin, where she specialised in 'smart' textiles.

Kirsteen and Elena will be displaying some of their work alongside others including Tailored Textiles, Tait and Style and Hume Sweet Hume.

Kirsteen said: "The area already has a reputation for its crafts, but we want to highlight some of the other creative work that is taking place. The more we have looked into it, the more people we have found who are already working in this sector or who are interested in getting started.

"People are more fashion conscious these days - not just with clothing, but home wares too - and trends are moving faster with the use of technology and websites.

"There are a lot of people interested in this event - both for the chance to meet other people in the same field and to see some of their work. We see getting events like this set up as very important for the Highlands and Islands. Hopefully it will encourage more people to think about going into this line of work and help those already established to continue to grow their businesses within the region."

Iain Hamilton, creative industries manager at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), said: "This is an opportunity for existing or potential fashion designers to meet and have a say on the future of fashion design and textile work in the Highlands and Islands. It's also a chance to share ideas and good practice and some experiences - the highs and the lows of working within this competitive and exciting business."

The first goHI was held last year as a two-day event aimed at those looking for a career in the music or film industry. This year it has been extended to three days and will include the fashion event and a workshop for women looking to have a career in the creative industries.

Those attending are given the opportunity to meet top industry insiders, including filmmakers, musicians, writers, music industry consultants and this year a music industry solicitor will be on hand to answer questions. Business advisers from the HIE network will also be available to give advice on the support available for starting up and running a creative business.

The event is being supported by HIE, Inverness Nairn Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (INBSE), Scottish Arts Council, Musicians' Union, Channel 4 IDEASfactory, AIMhi and HAIL amongst others.

For further information, visit the 2005 goHI festival website.