New West End Company

August 21 2009

From 7-11 September, the eyes of the fashion world will be on London’s Oxford Street as it cements its fashion credentials to host the world’s first High Street Fashion Week, on Oxford Street. On the eve of London Fashion Week, High Street Fashion Week on Oxford Street sees retailers joining forces to celebrate the eclectic mix of trends and fashions that can only be found on the UK High Street.

        HIGH STREET FASHION WEEK ON OXFORD STREET RETAILER LINE UP

Clarks – Debenhams – Faith - House of Fraser - John Lewis – Knickerbox - Marks & Spencer – Next – Office - River Island – Selfridges – Ann Summers  - Swatch –                                       Topman – Uniqlo

Jace Tyrrell, Head of Communications at New West End Company, says: “This is the first time ever that a fashion week has been made so accessible to the public. With the UK leading the way for high street fashion, there is no where better to showcase this than on Oxford Street, the UK’s most famous high street”

To kick start proceedings, British popstar Alesha Dixon today was officially crowned High Street Fashion Queen and the first ambassador for High Street Fashion Week on Oxford Street. In the months leading up to High Street Fashion Week, 100,000 West End shoppers were asked to vote for their favourite high street fashion icon. With thousands of votes being placed Alesha came out top of the poll to be the official face of High Street Fashion Week on Oxford Street.

Jace Tyrrell adds, “We wanted shoppers to play an integral role in the development of High Street Fashion Week and by doing this we gave them the chance to vote for their favourite celebrity fashion icon. We are thrilled that Alesha won the public vote, she is the perfect fit.”

Alesha Dixon, High Street Fashion Queen, says, "I am so excited to be part of the first ever High Street Fashion Week, and to be crowned High Street Fashion Queen by the public is a real honour. Since I was young, I've always popped down to Oxford Street with my friends for our ritual shopping Saturday. Whatever your dress size or budget, anyone can find the latest trends and get their own style. I'll definitely be making a trip to Oxford Street to check out what the stores have up their sleeves for High Street Fashion Week."

Harold Tillman, Chairman of the British Fashion Council, says, "The British High Street is one of the strongest in the world and plays a vital role in the British fashion industry. As we prepare to celebrate 25 years of the British Fashion Council and London Fashion Week in September we are pleased that High Street Fashion Week on Oxford Street is joining the celebrations and supporting the high street, retail industry and its diverse talent."

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson adds, "The British high street leads the way in showcasing cutting edge fashion. Milan, Paris and New York don't come close. Our own West End is an extraordinary shop window full of top designs, which is key to our continued success in attracting millions of shoppers throughout the year. What better way to mark the start of London Fashion Week than with the first ever High Street Fashion Week on Oxford Street which celebrates this great success story by bringing the catwalk, creative  brands and customers together."

To put out the sartorial red carpet for shoppers from London, the UK and overseas, Oxford Street retailers will be taking part in a week long calendar of fashion events. Retailers will be taking part in an exclusive Fashion Exhibition to showcase a key outfit styled for High Street Fashion Week from their A/W 09 collections, in a specially allocated area in store. All looks will also be available to view on www.highstreetfashionweek.com. These looks will then appear in a Pop-Fashion Show at a secret location in London’s West End.

Sally Scott, Marketing Director at Selfridges says, "Selfridges has been championing the best of high street fashion and the best designerwear for decades. We know our customers come to Selfridges for this diversity in our fashion offer. We are, therefore, happy to support High Street Fashion Week on Oxford Street. This is a great initiative and an exciting opportunity to celebrate the creativity and energy of high street fashion".

Mark Forsyth, PR Manager at John Lewis says, "This season John Lewis has revamped its own label fashion offer with 'The Collection' and brought in many new exciting brands, so it could not be a better time to get involved in the world's first High Street Fashion Week on Oxford Street. With our latest fashion collections now in store, and with iconic designers Tanya Sarne and Paul Costelloe dropping into our flagship Oxford Street store to meet the public and show their latest collections stocked at John Lewis, its due to be an exciting week for the high street."  

Ed Watson Head or PR, Debenhams says, “This is a world first for high street fashion retailers and an opportunity for Debenhams to demonstrate why the UK leads the way for high street fashion. Debenhams pioneered the idea of designer style at accessible prices, and it is therefore natural to be associated with a high street alternative to fashion week. We are excited to see the interest High Street Fashion Week on Oxford Street creates amongst shoppers.”

Gordon Richardson the Topman Design Director says, “Oxford Street encapsulates everything that is desirable about high street fashion right now and there's never been a more exciting time in men's fashion.  High Street Fashion Week on Oxford Street is a fantastic way to celebrate Europe's largest shopping street and showcase our latest AW09 Topman LTD collection with its discreet style and simple, paired-down aesthetic.”

Natasha Young, Marketing Events Manager, River Island says, “Here at River Island we have an amazing in-house design team, so High Street Fashion Week on Oxford Street, is a great platform for us to showcase our teams talent and the amazing autumn winter collection they have pulled together.”

High Street Fashion Week, on Oxford Street proves that there is no better place to shop than London’s West End. To view the official calendar of events visit www.highstreetfashionweek.com