Haute couture corsets hit Highland city runway

Two top designers from the Highlands are collaborating to bring haute couture corsets to Inverness for the Six Cities Design Festival Fashion Show on Wednesday 30 May at 7.30pm.

Renowned textile and stoneware designer Anta (Tain) has joined forces with lingerie and hosiery designer Inner Strength (Invergordon), to create tailor-made tartan corsets for the unique fashion event being staged in the city's Eastgate Shopping Centre.

TV presenter Nicola McAlley will act as MC for the fashion show, which is being choreographed by Inverness-born Sonia Paterson, a former model who has worked the runways in Milan, Hong Kong and America.

Anta and Inner Strength will join a line up of 13 leading designers from across the Highlands and Islands including Sandra Murray (Inverness), Kirsteen Stewart (Orkney), Ginger (Mallaig), Coca Couture (Inverness), Judy Clarke (Fort William),
Tate and Style (Orkney), Jasmine Isabella (Inverness), Taylored Textiles (Mosstodloch), and contemporary sporran designer Sporran Nation (Inverness).

'Project Catwalk' contestant, Gemma Carver, will also showcase her designs at the Six Cities fashion show. The 24 year-old Fort William designer shot to stardom last year when she took part in the Sky One series which gives aspiring designers the chance to break into the fashion world.

All the designers taking part in the fashion show are part of a new creative network of Highlands and Islands designers established and supported by HIE. The event itself is sponsored by HIE and the Eastgate Shopping Centre as part of the Six Cities Design Festival programme.

Nick Barley, director of the Six Cities Design Festival said: "Scotland has one of Europe's most vibrant creative communities and we are delighted to be able to offer a platform to our exciting designers in this the first ever nationwide celebration of design. The fashion show promises to be one of the highlights of a rich and varied programme of festival events in Inverness."

Creative industries manager for HIE, Gillian Macdonald, said: "This is a really special event because it brings the best design talent from across the Highlands and Islands together under one roof. Sonia has choreographed several shows in the area now and obviously has fantastic experience because of her modelling background. It promises to be a dynamic event, showcasing cutting-edge fashion from an innovative region."

Tickets for the Six Cities Design Festival Fashion Show are free but must be booked, either by calling 0141 204 4400, or by collecting from the Eastgate Shopping Centre Management office or the Tourist Information Centre on Bridge Street, Inverness.