Dress to Impress hits London town
27-09-2005
On Saturday 1st October shoppers and retailers alike will unite in a celebration of Oxford Street with stores extending their opening hours to 8pm.
In a collaboration between the Mayor of London, Transport for London, Visit London, Westminster City Council, Heart 106.2 and New West End Company the street party has been created in an attempt to attract shoppers to London in the aftermath of the 7/7 bombings and to put Oxford Street and the West End back on the map as Europe’s premier shopping and leisure destination.
The day will consist of a wide variety of programmed events organised by a host of retailers and will include music, celebrity and street entertainment. As this is a fashion event shoppers are kindly invited to Dress To Impress and look their best. Shoppers will also be given the opportunity to participate in an hourly draw, where prizes include £1,000 shopping sprees on Oxford Street. Saturday’s agenda ensures that all members of the family are catered for featuring catwalks, makeovers and street performances.
Saturday 1st October will make history as it is the first time that Oxford Street has ever been closed off to traffic to make way for the shopping occasion.
DJ’s Jamie Theakston and Harriet Scott of Heart 106.2 will be hosting the main stage. Welsh singing sensation Charlotte Church will be joining in the events and will be holding a signing at Selfridges as well as providing an exclusive performance. There will be many special guests gracing the stage with live performances throughout including Rachel Stevens and Liberty X.
All retailers are contributing to the event in their own way, for example, Selfridges will be celebrating the day with British Airways flight giveaways, a Saab 9-3 Convertible car giveaway as well as free sampling from Krispy Kreme, Yo Sushi and Oddono’s ice cream.
Established model agency, Select Models, are official sponsors of the event and will be holding the UK’s largest high street models search, where the winner will be offered a photo shoot and the chance to become a Select Model, whose models include Sienna Miller and Kimberly Stewart.
| Major of London, Ken Livingstone comments “Oxford Street is the shopping heart of the capital.†|  |
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Stuart Rose, Chief Executive of Marks and Spencer said “Saturday 1st October will remind people what’s great about Oxford Street and London’s shops.†|
| Philip Green, Director of Arcadia Group agrees commenting “London is one of the major cities in the world, with Oxford Street at the heart, and I am delighted that our companies are participating in this celebration of its heritage and success.†|  |
So if you are stuck for something to do on Saturday, and fancy a break from traipsing around Ikea and decorating the hallway then come and support UK retailers and join in the fun at Oxford Street from 12pm onwards.
Stephanie McLaughlin
