Old Hollywood glamour takes over Norwich Cathedral as vintage designs take to the catwalk at Norwich Fashion Week. EMMA HARROWING reports.

Norwich has a big vintage scene. From fashion boutiques to cafes, to the increasing number of retro hair and make-up artists, to the rising number of vintage inspired club nights, vintage has a strong niche in fashion in Norwich.

It's no surprise then that the vintage show is a regular event on the Norwich Fashion Week calendar.

Usually set in exclusive and rather bijou area of The Library Restaurant, this year the vintage show set Norwich Cathedral alight with a vintage market in the Cloisters by day and a glamorous vintage catwalk show by night.

The snow may have put some vintage stall holders off but there was still a good selection of vintage and vintage inspired fashion and fayre that appealed to those looking for a bargain.

Vintage fashion was on many stalls such as Wake Up Little Suzie and Lowestoft jewellery designer Laura Ball of Florie Willow launched a special collection of floral jewellery especially for fashion week. You could also perfect your makeup as vintage hair and makeup artist Kerry Curl aka Missy Vintage was on hand to offer some advice.

Alongside the fair were two exhibitions. The Vintage a la Mode fashion photography exhibition by Norwich photographer Stephen Plumb and the Bridal NEXT new generation wedding designer showcase from Norwich based A Most Curious Wedding Fair.

The latter highlighted the work of five local up and coming wedding designers. Presented on mannequins kindly supplied by Debenhams, the designers: Anne Barclay and Sarah Day, Best of Youth, Boom Boom Baby, Bohemian Love Story and Annelli Clarke Millinery, will be showcasing their work on the catwalk at The Designers Show at Epic today.

Bridging the gap between art and local fashion was taken through into the evening where the Hostry was turned into a catwalk oozing fashion inspired by Old Hollywood Glamour. Sets on the catwalk came from Prim, Goldfinches, Vintage Deli, Retreat and Wake Up Little Suzie. Fashion from the 20s to the 70s was set in front of a backdrop of original paintings from local artist Simon Prichard depicting Old Hollywood movie and style icons.

Fashion highlights included a hot pink strapless floor length dress and black lace midi dress from Prim, a pink lace dress with full white netted skirt and pale Lilac ruffle dress from Goldfinches, a Emerald green cocktail dress complete with peacock feather headress and green gloves from Vintage Deli, a waterfall of pinks and reds from Retreat Vintage and a sultry nightwear set from Wake Up Little Suzie.

All made vintage attire look wearable as many pieces in each set echoed this year's fashion trends.

The evening came to a striking finale with a fashion set that many had been longing to see. For the past few months, if not years, Norwich vintage stylist Karen James Welton has been working on designing a vintage inspired collection under her Fabulous Miss K guise that would be made in Norwich and would appeal to those with a love of classic cuts and flattering lines.

The collection did not disappoint.

Starting with a teal day dress and finishing with a 'on trend' nautical stripe summer dress, the collection consists of six pieces. Two little black dresses - one with in a 20s flapper style complete with drop waist and shoulder detailing and one with a nipped in waist, full skirt and flattering chiffon sleeve, a neat khaki green skirt suit with belted waist on the jacket and pencil skirt and a uber flattering red day dress with covered button detailing and thigh skimming skirt made this a capsule collection that most will want in their wardrobe.

Talking about her collection Karen says that it was inspired by her mum who encouraged her to set up her own fashion label and inspired her with an upbringing against the backdrop of old Hollywood movies.

'I wanted to create a collection that would appeal to and flatter the more mature lady,' says Karen. 'There are many vintage-inspired fashions on the market and most tailor towards the rockabilly style with shorter skirts and fun prints. For the Fabulous Miss K collection I wanted to create something more refined, pieces that are classical and will become wardrobe staples for years to come.

'Launching my first collection at Norwich Fashion Week is the perfect platform, especially as vintage plays a part in the fashion scene in Norwich.'