Socs and the City is always a hugely popular event. But with all the latest fashion and a killer after party, what’s not to love? Ann-Marie Donelan reports on this year’s hugely successful event…
To wrap up NUI Galway’s first and hugely successful fashion week, the Radisson Blu Hotel Galway played host to the annual ‘Socs in the City’ Fashion Show on 14 March last.
The show was presented by the college’s Rotaract and Style Society with one of Ireland’s top fashion, beauty and showbiz bloggers Suzanne Jackson of sosueme.ie hosting the evening. The event was organised with all profits going to local children’s charity ‘Hand in Hand’.
The event has a tradition of bringing together not just the best style but also talent NUI Galway has to offer in a tremendously entertaining and glamorous atmosphere. This year was no different to previous; with musicians Conor Fahy and Laura Yore, both students of the college, offering excellent entertainment prior to the models taking to the runway.
The night saw 40 of NUI Galway’s best-looking, charismatic and stylish students take to the runway modelling styles of local stores including Born, Paraffin, Swamp as well as the ever reliable and student-friendly affordable Penneys.
Edgy, alternative styling came next from the wonderfully unique vintage store Public Romance. Of course not just ladies were included in the fashion of the evening; Suzanne commented after the show that she was particularly impressed with the male style in attendance.
Guy-friendly stores such as Jack and Jones and TK Maxx presented the best looks of the season and a collection from Remus Uomo even saw SU President Paul Curley swap those famous purple chinos for a slick and stylish red pair.
It was not just casual clothing to be included in the show with things getting steamy as glamorous lingerie from local store Change and Elverys swimwear hit the runway. Various entertainments were also provided by models while strutting their stuff with comedic and, to say the least interesting acts of a full-monty style striptease and a life-saving rescue by a lifeguard during the swimwear section.
Formal wear closed the show as the best looks from The Ivory Closet boutique in Limerick in the form of gorgeous evening dresses were showcased as well as Galway’s own Potobello store, allowing a sneak peek at some of the excellent fashion they have to offer.
Ladies were treated to a fabulously polished display as some of the evening’s gentleman models stylishly showcased excellent tailoring with suits supplied by a local Suit Rental Company.
The fashion was not just for the models of the night however as the best dressed competition attracted mass amounts of attention with one of Galway’s top bloggers Erika Fox of Retro Flame spotting the best style of the night in terms of originality and sophistication.
With five male and five female finalists chosen, it was the audience who eventually decided on the winners with clear favourites Sinead Maxwell and Conor Doyle, both of Galway, receiving massive applause while showcasing their looks.
Sinead went for a completely original home-made outfit of a gold-disco style skirt and crop top while Conor kept things traditional yet stylish with a classic slacks and shirt combo that was jazzed up with a pair of suspenders and a vibrant tie.
The ‘Socs in the City’ fashion show has always been a massive success with all audience members thoroughly enjoying themselves and proceeds going to charity and this year was no different.
When asked whether she enjoyed the experience of hosting such an event Suzanne Jackson commented that “it was a wonderful night, with excellent entertainment and a great turnout. The style and fashion present was top notch and much credit must go to all the organisers in particular Elma Lee who headed the planning and preparations.”
All images via the Socs and the City Facebook page. For more photos of the strip tease and more, click here.
