Wandsworth resident and celebrity stylist, currently heading up styling at Britain’s Next Top Model on Lifetime TV, Bernard Connolly will be presiding over the next future design talent as head judge on Sunday, the 18th of February 2018, 7:30 pm, at Fashions Finest near Covent Garden at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in, 61-65 Great Queen St, London WC2B 5DA.

Bernard studied at the London’s most famous fashion college Saint Martins, achieving a fashion degree at the highest level and has since worked with some of the most famous Fashion Designers in the world, including Zandra Rhodes, Anthony Price as well as supporting new designers such as Jacob Kimme, Hannah Marshall.

 

Bernard then went on to gain experience in retail and merchandising, in-house personal shopping for Harvey Nichols and was the in-house head of PR for the Kenzo brand of the luxury goods house LVMH.

Glamour is Bernard’s forte, after a few successful years with LVMH, Bernard went freelance as a Fashion Stylist, having cultivated a large network of private clients, including many celebrities and high profile individuals.
He loves nothing better than to receive a challenging client brief that requires glamour of the highest calibre.

In addition to private clients, Bernard has also been commissioned for large advertising campaigns, fashion shoots, magazine articles, film and TV and is the preferred stylist and art director for many on-going global advertising and corporate campaigns.

Joining on the judging panel are some familiar faces such as Britain’s Next Top Model judge and celebrity photographer Nicky Johnston who joined in last year.

This year TV presenter and stylist Nicky Hambleton-Jones, sees a new judge added to the mix with Nicky Hambleton-Jones from channel 4’s 10-years Younger programme. along with long-serving judge Lola Royle.

The event is hosted by Fashions Finest and presented by Radio and TV presenter Laura Naylor.

“It is very difficult to find 100% Organic Cotton t-shirts with cool designs. Each t-shirt has a positive message that I am hoping to spread to the world”, says Afton.

Once Afton has launched her collection in her catwalk show, she will begin to sell the t-shirts and the proceeds will be donated to the World Youth Organization, which is a charity that helps young people. Afton and her mother Gillian are Ambassadors for the charity. Afton seeks to be a great role model for others, by encouraging a healthy, fit and happy lifestyle for everyone. She is the voice of young people and an empowering activist for good physical and mental health.

“We are in one of the most creative industries, which ironically seems to discriminate the very source of its creativity, be that ageism, education, sexism, racism.

Having Samanta on the runway as well as a young person like Afton, who is inspired by a school project and really going for it with a positive message and in the name of goodwill is exactly what this industry needs to have injected to stay fresh, fun and relevant,” – Deborah St Louis, Director at Fashions Finest.

Former Wandsworth resident and Radio presenter Laura Naylor will be hosting the awards flying in specially from her stint at Radio 2 UAE in Dubai.

Laura said: “I have hosted the event for some time now and I feel part of the family. I would not miss it! I am excited about this season. As I see a lot of activity surrounding the event. I can’t wait to see the guys.”

Limited tickets for the general public are available via https://www.fashionsfinest.com/tickets.

 The show schedule can be viewed here: https://www.fashionsfinest.com/events/fashion-week-shows

Wimbledon Guild Village Fair needs you! The organisers behind the annual event, social welfare charity Wimbledon Guild, is appealing for volunteers to make the 2017 Fair the best yet.

The charity is aiming to build a team of 100 volunteers and supporters to help out at the Wimbledon Guild Village Fair on Saturday June 17.

Anyone who wants to be involved can sign up to this fantastic community event, which attracts more than 35,000 people to Wimbledon Common every summer, via the wimbledonguildvillagefair.org.uk/volunteers website.

Volunteer co-ordinator at Wimbledon Guild, Nick Linney, explained that there are a host of roles available on the day, ranging from helping at the Fun Dog Show, managing the Sips and Sounds music marquee or selling raffle tickets.

He said: “This is such a lovely community event which promotes involvement and fun for everyone and working as part of our team for the day is a really memorable experience.

“We have lots of interesting and varied roles throughout the day. And it doesn’t matter if you can only spare a few hours to take part, we have roles that could take just a short time.

“This is a fantastic volunteer programme for everyone from students to families, colleagues and individuals. It’s a chance to meet and make new friends and of course, we’ll make sure you’re treated to snacks and drinks while you’re with us.

“You can volunteer on your own or bring a friend or a colleague. And afterwards you’ll have our badge of honour, a Wimbledon Guild Village Fair 2017 t-shirt and our wholehearted thanks.”

Nick added that while there are no skills requirements there are a few specialised roles based around the main arena that would need previous event experience.

The Wimbledon Guild Village Fair, that has the Wimbledon Foundation – the charity of The All England Lawn Tennis Club – as a major partner, is a landmark occasion in the local social calendar and last year’s star attraction, The Knights of Middle England, will return to create a thrilling equestrian jousting spectacle.

The Fair is a firm favourite with families, foodies and music fans and offers a fun-filled free-to-enter day for all ages while raising funds in aid of the social welfare charity which helps local people of Merton lead a better life by tackling poverty, supporting ageing and encouraging mental wellbeing.

Wimbledon Guild Village Fair 2016 volunteer Evelina Belevich, 19, from Raynes Park, has already committed to volunteering for this summer’s event.

The University of Exeter psychology student said: “I have already signed up for this year’s Fair! Last year was fantastic fun and it felt so worthwhile to be part of the team on the day. Knowing that every penny goes to such an amazing local cause is what makes all the difference to me. And at the end of such a fun day, it was so rewarding to have played a part in it. For me making such a great impact locally is so important.

“The volunteer team last year had such great fun. Working together and coming together as a team made the day really very enjoyable. There are so many roles to do on the day and everyone is made to feel so welcome and part of the team. I would recommend volunteering at the Wimbledon Guild Village Fair to anyone.”

To register for the Fair please complete our Volunteer Form here https://wimbledonguildvillagefair.org.uk/volunteers

The Britain’s Top Designer Award 2017 is now open and invites applications from fashion designers across the nation including South West London.

Applications are invited via: https://www.britainstopdesigner.com/application

The Britain’s Top Designer Award is part of Fashions Finest Catwalk Shows during London Fashion Week.

Fashion and music drew an influx of celebrity attendees at Fashions Finest this September with Luciee Closier and her live band opening the catwalk. The Britain’s Top Designer Award in February 2017 promises an even bigger and better fashion week season in February 2017.

Hosted by South London based QVC fashion expert, TV and radio presenter Laura Naylor, Britain’s Top Designer is a prestigious designer competition of Fashions Finest. Taking place every February during London Fashion Week, it aims to find the best emerging designer in the UK. This season will be filmed by London Live who have come on board as media partner.

The Britain’s Top Designer Award attracts international press attention, buyers, fashionistas and celebrities, with top industry judges such as head judge celebrity stylist Bernard Connolly. Previous judges that graced the panel were Ewa Szczotka – Former director of Marangorni International Fashion School, Princes Trust Ambassador and celebrity stylist Lewis Duncan-Weedon, Lola Royal – Stylist & fashion presenter, Melanie Jones – publicist and founder of Melanie Jones PR, world renowned designer Yemi Osunkoya of Kosibah, Sonia Munafo – International Stylist, Chloe Dolloway of Paul Smith and Louise – Burberry.

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