Celebrating Edinburgh’s unique and diverse shopping experience, Edinburgh Fashion Week is the new must-attend event for anyone keen to discover the latest trends and be the first to see the city’s retailers’ latest spring/summer collections and exciting exclusives.

Transforming The Mound in to a sleek and stylish indoor fashion hub for the opening weekend (Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March), residents and visitors are invited to a packed programme of free fashion shows, informal workshops and expert tutorials, all hosted by the Edinburgh’s favourite high street retailers, designer boutiques and independent stores.

Watch out for the likes of Reiss, Sam Brown, John Lewis, Covet, House of Fraser, Gap, ALC, Tommy Hilfiger, River Island, Kakao by K, Walker Slater, Jane Davidson, Next, Frontiers, Oliver Bonas and Armstrong’s Vintage Emporium to name just a few.

Whether a trend-setting fashionista or simply on the hunt for that one key piece to refresh your spring wardrobe, Edinburgh Fashion Week’s opening weekend programme brings wearable catwalk inspirations for all ages – and both sexes. Shoppers in the fashion hub can also browse a number of pop-up capsule stores, or simply relax, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a tempting cocktail, refreshing beer or tasty bite.

Retailers across the city centre are embracing Edinburgh Fashion Week with a wide range of exclusive fashion discounts of at least 20% off, quality free gifts-with-purchase and exclusive in-store events for shoppers visiting throughout the week (7-15 March). For details on participating stores visit: www.thisisedinburgh.com/edinburghfashionweek

Part of the ‘This Is Edinburgh’ city-centre campaign, Edinburgh Fashion Week is a celebration of the city’s unique and diverse shopping experience and style. It is hoped the opening weekend event and exclusive in-store offers will draw more people into the city centre to enjoy Edinburgh’s wide selection of shops, bars and restaurants.

Andy Neal, Chief Executive, Essential Edinburgh said:

“A recent public survey by ‘This is Edinburgh’ found that 66.8% of people were more likely to visit the city centre than they were this time last year, with Edinburgh’s vibrant shopping scene cited as one of the key reasons people are coming back into the city centre. Over the last 12 months, we’ve also seen a steady rise in city centre footfall and retail sales, all of which are incredibly encouraging.

“That said, we are definitely not resting on our laurels and Edinburgh Fashion Week is about maintaining momentum and promoting the wonderful local independent, designer and high street shops available on our doorstep. Edinburgh is an incredibly stylish city and Edinburgh Fashion Week will offer something for all tastes, ages and budgets.”

Barry Blamire, Managing Director at John Lewis Edinburgh said:

“Edinburgh has such a terrific variety of retailers, from high street favourites like John Lewis, to the independent boutiques on Thistle Street and the Grassmarket. Edinburgh Fashion Week is about showcasing all of them, encouraging shoppers to get out and explore their city centre. With its fashion shows, tutorials and pop-up shops, the launch weekend on The Mound will be packed with spring/summer inspirations and hopefully introduce residents to a few new stores they may not have visited before.”

Edinburgh based Personal Shopper & Fashion Blogger, Laura Russell from Satisfashion, who will be leading some fashion tutorial sessions at The Mound launch event said:

“Edinburgh Fashion Week is exactly what the city has been waiting for. I know from my experience as a personal stylist that people are creatures of habit that tend to visit the same handful of shops every time. Edinburgh’s retailers have so much to offer, the launch event will be the ideal opportunity to get people out of their comfort zone, challenge their perceptions and pleasantly surprise them with some exciting fashion finds and refreshing new season looks.

“I’m looking forward to trying to capture that quintessential Edinburgh style, mixing higher end items with one off pieces from independent stores, or bargains from the high street.”

For the latest updates, event timetable, competitions and exclusive offers during Edinburgh Fashion Week, visit www.thisisedinburgh.com/edinburghfashionweek. Share your Edinburgh fashion hidden gems on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #EdFashionWeek.