Hairspray, heels and this seasons hottest new looks.

On Thursday the 21^st October to a soundtrack of classic house tunes, Liverpool’s beautiful strutted their stuff down the catwalk in Bamboo club for Liverpool fashion week sponsored by Lifestyle magazine.

Arriving unfashionably early, we were greeted by a small number of boutique stalls offering vintage clothes with the noticeable exception of Rubie Locks which is a website offering beautifully intricate headbands, hair accessories and jewellery. Once into the club, aside from the cringeworthy MC “Reece Lightning”, the evening was a classy affair with Liverpool’s glamour squad turning out in force to celebrate the best the high street has to offer this season with shows by New Look, Miss Selfridge and Wallis.

The catwalk kicked off with student favourite New Look presenting what they are stocking for Autumn/Winter 2010. Showing everything from workwear to underwear, the show even included tailored menswear and catered for everyone.

Following London and Paris, New Look showed stylishly tailored coats and military jackets, alongside chunky knitwear teamed with tweed shorts, a nod to the country classic look which is hot this season.

The evening’s display then progressed upmarket to an interpretation of this season’s trends by the slightly pricier Miss Selfridge. Featuring edgy leathers, furs and military wool coats teamed with dark skinnies, floral prints and fabulous heels, the collection drew from 70s glamour and 80s grunge influences.

  Lace, brocade and beading also encapsulated a revamped return to the sophistication of the 1920s, with dusky pinks and pastels in floaty chiffon materials emerging as staple colours. Brocade scarves and large tapestry print handbags served as ideal style accessories to complete the classic vintage impression.

With elegance and smart-come-sexy key to the Wallis fashion tradition, the collection emphasised classic outerwear with statement woollen coats and boots that simultaneously oozed effortless style and practicality. Leggings and bright oversized scarves added the extra touch essential to brighten up every winter wardrobe.

Wallis’ catwalk was also dominated by oversized knitted capes in a nod to the trend which has been seriously hot in the Autumn/winter shows for 2010.

As with the New Look and Miss Selfridge catwalks, military influences were notable alongside a last eye-catching equestrian ensemble featuring camel jodhpurs, tall riding boots and a textured leather jacket.

 Finally, deep plums and dark chocolate tones together with textured velvet and floor-length skirts provided an interesting update from the successful summer maxi trend to create the remaining piece of the winter ensemble.

 The show closed with Wallis exhibiting a range of 60’s inspired pieces including fabulous high waisted trousers teamed with tribal print blouses and shift dresses with thick woollen tights.

With the showcase drawing to a close, we made our way out into the chilling evening air confident that whatever weather this season may throw at us, keeping warm needn’t come at the expense of looking good. Wrapped in our patterned knits, wools and furs we’ll be making a style statement that even the cold can’t deny us.

Liverpool Fashion Week has become a recent annual event, premiering in 2008 in association with the city’s status as European Capital of Culture. Now in its third year, the function showcases collections from stores ranging from high street to boutique in an effort to highlight the distinctive fashion template that Liverpool has to offer. The 2010 catwalks ran from 19-23 October, with each evening featuring clothing lines from up to five retailers and open to the public at a price of £12.00 per ticket.

Liverpool Fashion Week was organised by the team at Liverpool’s Lifestyle Monthly magazine. Click here to view their website and to see more footage of their fabulous events.

 Iona Stonehouse & Marietta Longley