Up and coming fashion designers are often regarded as indicators of future trends so with Norwich Fashion Week taking place next week Emma Harrowing takes a peek at what some of Norfolk's designers have in store.

When Norwich Fashion Week launched earlier this year Norfolk was treated to a wealth of fresh new designs from our regions fashion designers as their creations took to the catwalk.

Although most were not used to having their work viewed by the mainstream, the success of the week that celebrates local fashion and design opened up the eyes of fashion lovers to the many fashion designers that are hidden away on our shores.

And with this wave of interest came other clothing, jewellery and accessory designers from all over Norfolk and the hidden treasures they have been creating over the past few months will eventually come into fruition at the second Norwich Fashion Week next month.

Open Store is an event that showcases the work of talented designers in Norfolk and North Suffolk. The event is part of Norwich Fashion Week and takes place on Tuesday, September 27 between midday and 8pm.

The event gives everyone a chance to take a look at the work of local designers, buy pieces from their new collections or get an outfit or piece of jewellery custom made.

The co-ordinator of Open Store is Roberta Pumer who owns independent fashion boutique Ethika on Timberhill in Norwich.

'Open Store will provide a great opportunity for local designers, new and established to show their latest work and to meet customers and fans throughout the day,' says Roberta.

'It will be a chance for all of us to try on their latest creations and to buy or order something special which you know is a one-off.'

The event will see designers showcasing their work at Ethika, Verandah on Upper St Giles and in their own boutiques and studios such as at the Vanessa Lewis boutique and Silk and Sawdust designer Claudia Orrell's studio, both on Wensum Street.

There are over 15 designers taking part in Open Store during Norwich Fashion Week, here is just a taster of some of the highlights:

Annette Rolston

Talented artist turned fashion designer Annette Rolston went from painting and print making to using her skills in linocut to design a collection of individually printed silk scarves. Recently Annette had printed her linocut motifs onto a range of organic fabrics and is collaborating with fashion student Lizzie Wenham to produce her first womenswear collection which will be launched at Norwich Fashion Week. The micro collection includes a block printed shift dress and swing cardigan. the collection will be on display at the Open Store event at Ethika.

City College Norwich up and coming designers Chloe Kent and Leah Leveridge

Two up and coming fashion designers with very unique styles, Chloe Kent, 21, and Leah Leveridge, 17, graduated from City College Norwich after completing a BTEC in Textiles and Fashion. Both will be showing work from their final year under the theme of black and white for which they won college fashion awards.

Inspired by the aesthetics and movement of the ballet Swan Lake, Chloe has produced two dresses – one white and one black to represent the black and white swans. Taking inspiration by the work of international designer Alexander McQueen, Chloe creates haute couture style garments that have refined detail and sculptured texture.

Victorian and 1940s style are brought together in Leah's theatrical designs. Combining corsetry with a 1940s silhouette her dress designs and accessories will appeal to lovers of the increasingly popular vintage trend. Leah will be showcasing her 1880s/1940s style jacket and a high waisted pencil skirt.

Both young designers will be at the Open Store event at Ethika.

Marian Williams

No stranger to Norwich Fashion Week, fashion designer Marian Williams wowed fashion week audiences back in February with her dress created using the dye from the bark of a Silver Birch. All of the Norwich based designer's pieces have a green conscious as Marian works with silk which is dyed and painted with colours from locally sourced plant matter using shibori, layering and natural dying techniques. Marian's new work can be seen at Ethika during Norwich Fashion Week.

Marilyn Thomas

At the first Norwich Fashion Week back in February this year Marilyn Thomas' Fair Isle knitwear proved that Norfolk fashion designers have their finger on the fashion pulse. Now that patterned knitwear is tipped to be an autumn and winter trend this year, Marilyn is back with her new collection of hand knitted jackets, cardigans, shrugs and accessories.

Marilyn will be showcasing her work alongside Norfolk knitwear designer Liz Clarke and vintage- inspired fashion designer Sally Ronaldson at Open Store at Verandah on Upper St Giles.

Open Store takes place at Ethika, Verandah and Wensum Street on Tuesday, September 27 from midday until 8pm.

For all the news about Norwich Fashion Week visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/nfw, find Norwich Fashion Week on Facebook or follow Norwich Fashion Week on Twitter @NorwichFashion