The Royal Bath & West Show 'woos' West Country designer for Ladies' Day
The Royal Bath & West Show ‘woos’ West Country designer for Ladies’ Day
The Royal Bath & West Show has announced that Bristol fashion designer Gill Cockwell, owner and founder of fashion label Gilly Woo Couture, will be playing a starring role at this year’s show, as a Ladies’ Day judge.
Taking place on Friday 3 June, Ladies’ Day will bring glamour to the South West’s biggest agricultural show, held at Shepton Mallet. The Royal Bath & West Show is always a great day out, but Ladies’ Day promises that extra touch of glamour and style as fashion-conscious ladies are invited to don their most elegant outfits and hats. The contestants’ stylish outfits will be under the discerning eye of Gill for the ultimate accolade of ‘Best Dressed in the Show’.
Gill Cockwell (trading as Gilly Woo) began her sewing career at the tender age of six. As part of her evolving portfolio, Gill has become an experienced stylist, working regularly with commercial photographers and respected hair salons, on magazine photo shoots and catwalk shows. The designer’s dresses have even been featured on the red carpet at the Oscars.
Today, Gill is a recognised master craftswoman, making unique bridal gowns, cocktail dresses and occasion wear. She says: “It is vital that the brand has become synonymous with quality, individuality and style, as it really sums up my approach to design as well as the women who wear my unique designs.”
She particularly concentrates on silhouette and form and her made-to-measure corsetry-based designs are exquisitely cut to smooth and shape the wearer’s natural contours. Her aim is to celebrate and accentuate feminine curves and make the wearer feel sculpted and sexy.
“I was born and raised in the West Country and my dad used to take my siblings and I to the Bath & West Show as children. It’s such a great family day out and it holds very fond memories for me. I was so thrilled to be asked to judge best dressed on Ladies Day,” said Gill. “This will be a fun day out for the girls, celebrating the stylish pedigree of the show, as well as offering them the opportunity to strut their stuff with some of the most fashion-conscious visitors. It’s a fantastic opportunity for girls to dress up and show off. There are not enough occasions to wear hats nowadays!”
This is only the second year that the show has organised Ladies’ Day, with internationally renowned designer Alice Temperley judging last year. The Somerset-born designer, who has dressed a host of A-list stars from Halle Berry to Scarlett Johansson, selected 17-year-old Emily Mangles from Crewkerne as winner of last year’s ‘best dressed’. Emily’s vintage 1950s polka-dot dress, which once belonged to her grandmother, encapsulated the quirky, boho, vintage vibe for which Alice is renowned. Her retro-inspired winning choice put the ‘make-do-and-mend’ trend back into the style spotlight.
Tickets are now on sale for this year’s show, including a limited number of VIP tickets for Ladies’ Day. VIP ticket holders will receive exclusive access to a new ringside members’ bar to catch all the action in the main ring, a complimentary Afternoon Tea in the Members’ Marquee on the Lawn and priority car parking.
VIP tickets for Ladies’ Day cost �25 and are exclusively available online. Please visit bathandwest.com/2011-ladies-day/144/ to buy and enter the promotional code LD2011. But hurry – there are only a limited number of VIP tickets available, so buy now to avoid disappointment! (www.bathandwest.com or call 01749 822222)
