Merchant City Festival

Now that London Fashion Week is over, what's the next big thing to hit the style map? Well Merchant City Festival of course! What...that wasn't your original answer? Milan? Well, OK. Perhaps Glasgow isn't the response you would immediately shout out, but rather than step over it in your Prada statement heels how about taking a peek with me at some of the exciting fashion events that Glasgow has to offer?

The festival, running from the 25th to the 28th this week, has everything from theatre to clubs, from comedy to film and, of course, fashion! And so it should. Fashion is vibrant in this city full of diverse styles, influenced from cultures, backgrounds, music, lifestyle and everything an exciting city has to offer. On the Saturday Ingram St hosts a day entirely dedicated to shopping! Ingram Street Shopping Day will be filled with shoppers checking out the retailers (Agent Provocateur, All Saints, Boudiche, Bravissimo, Crombie, Cruise, Jaeger, Jigsaw, Ralph Lauren and Viyella being some of them) a/w 08 collections. Helping display their finery's live models will don the shops wears instead of plastic dummies.

But, it's not just lots of lovely clothes, bags, shoes and accessories! Oh no. There will also be drinks, canapes, music, make overs and more inside!

On the same day Byblos hosts a fashion event to raise money for ChildLine in Scotland. Beginning with shopping at 3pm, followed by events at 5pm and ending in Fashion Shows which start at 7pm. The catwalk features emerging and established Scottish designers, vintage clothing boutiques and alternative high street stores.

One of the Scots representing the designer clothes is Mark Conlin, whose mix of fabrics at Glasgow Fashion Week combined gave femininity a hard edge.

Along with Scottish designers there will be a vintage collection from some of the many Glasgow vintage and second hand stores. And headlining the fashion show is 'Joy', new to Glasgow and showcasing their mix of kitsch fashion by designers from Britain, Italy and France.

Safe to say this is going to be an exciting and very fashionable event. Unfortunately I can't go! The 'Brand New Your Retro' fashion show is this Saturday and I am going to see the Scottish Ballet dance to Radiohead. So I am disappointed I will miss it, but I'm very excited as their costumes are inspired by the 1930's and I think it should be quite fabulous!