From original fashion to shopping spectaculars, Norwich Fashion Week 2012 was the best yet. EMMA HARROWING picks her highlights from the week.

The Independent Retailers Show kicked off the third Norwich Fashion Week in style. Held in Fusion in The Forum, the show brought together new trends from the many independent fashion shops in Norwich. There were many highlights, but the outfits that stood out for me were the stunning metallic dress by Danni Minogue's label Project D from Ginger and the Farmer Boy trend from Jarrold men.

The launch of Cocoon, the fashion label set up by fashion and textile students at City College Norwich, is definitely in my top three of the highlights from Norwich Fashion Week. The label's first collection was launched at The Designers Show last Tuesday and sat perfectly alongside fashions from established Norfolk designers. Watch this space as the students push forward with their collection, Cocoon could be the name on everyone's lips next year.

Usually vintage fashion shows are all about celebrating fashion from the 30s, 40s and 50s, but at this year's Norwich Fashion Week Vintage Day The Library Restaurant was turned into a party to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. Fashions from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s were showcased, proving that vintage fashion is easy-to-wear. I particularly liked the mint green trousers and knitted tank top and neck scarf from Prim Vintage on St Benedict's and the Kate Middleton-esque style outfit from Vintage Deli.

Norwich Lanes Fashion Night Out took the city by storm on the Friday night when fashion and entertainment collided to create a great night out. Shops opened until late, live bands and DJs played, hair stylists styled hair in fashion boutiques and there was a live tattooing art show at Philip Browne. My highlight however was meeting the designer behind Norwich fashion label SHhhh, Sam Harron, as he launched his first collection in Dogfish on Bedford Street.

When Norwich designer Marian Eve Williams first brought her designs to fashion week in February last year her dress coloured with dye from a silver birch tree was one of my highlights. This year the eco-fashion designer has done it again with an impressive collection at The Designers Show last Tuesday. My favourite piece was this sleeveless silk top worn with midi skirt. It just goes to show that green fashion can be trendy.

The original 1960s Louis Vuitton case caused a stir at the ego Designer Fashion Auction on Thursday when, after bidding finished, the price didn't meet the reserve. However, after an inspiring lesson on the case's history from ego store manager Alistair Divers, a bidding war broke out and the suitcase eventually sold for �400. The auction raised �2,000, some of which will go to the City College Norwich Student New Opportunities Fund.

Degree and MA fashion students from the Norwich University College of the Arts proved how much fashion talent there is in Norwich with an installation of their work at House of Fraser. Students' designs adorned mannequins in the Chapelfield department throughout Norwich Fashion Week, and a fashion show on Thursday evening brought some of the designs to life. Picking one design that was the highlight of the show is difficult, however Nicolas Marc's design was one that stood out; not only because of the detailed craftsmanship and tailoring, but also because this is the young designer's first attempt at fashion. I just can't wait to see his first collection when he graduates.

Who could forget how on Sunday afternoon all the pomp and circumstance of the Royal theme vintage day was shattered when lager drinking models ripped up the catwalk to a chorus of the Sex Pistols' God Save the Queen. It had us spluttering in our teacups! The spectacular finale to the vintage fashion show saw models wearing Vivienne Westwood circa 1977 to 1979 from Retreat Vintage on Magdalen Street.

It was the Norwich Fashion Week models that brought fashion to life at many of the shows throughout the week. The team was chosen after several castings and rehearsals – all were competing to win the 'Face of Norwich Fashion Week 2012'. The winners were Molly McGeakin and Matthew Fleming. Keep reading your Evening News to see both models appear in a Life Matters fashion shoot in the paper in the next couple of months.

With the London Olympics this summer, it was only fitting that Norwich retro fashion label MonkeyMash created a dress to celebrate the sporting event. Designer Emma Jackson created this 50s inspired dress made from fabric printed with the London Underground map. I like it so much that I'm buying it from the local designer!

Getting a peek behind the scenes at some of the shows during Norwich Fashion Week is a highlight that we want to share with you. From hair and make-up to the final rehearsals, Evening News photographer Antony Kelly took all the pictures behind the scenes at the Independent Retailers Show at The Forum which launched Norwich Fashion Week and The Designers Show at Project nightclub. See the pictures by clicking on the link in the right hand column.

See all our highlights from Norwich Fashion Week 2012 in pictures by clicking on the photo gallery link at the top right of this page.