Wilkin Chapman Employee – Lincoln Fashion Week Model

Lincoln Fashion Week Model Coaches for Catwalk Success

Model Ebony Vandecasteele is helping to ensure the stars of Lincoln Fashion Week (LFW) really shine in the event’s glittering finale.

Law graduate Ebony, who works for Wilkin Chapman in Grimsby and also has a successful modelling career, is in the process of putting our LFW models through their paces in two boot camps at Alive Church in Newland, Lincoln, to get them “catwalk ready!”

The 28-year-old is using her passion and experience, which has seen her grace the catwalk many times at the world-renowned London Fashion Week, to show people the ropes ahead of the Lincoln Fashion Week finale on May 11.

“I have been organising the models into groups of three, encouraging them to practice perfecting their posture, advising them on poses and ensuring they feel confident about showcasing all styles of clothing,” said Ebony.

“It is important for them to keep their heads up, keep their chin and eyes forward, and guard against looking down at the floor, in order to come across well to their audience and also in photographs.

“I was delighted to be invited to do the boot camps, one of which took place earlier in March.  I will be returning to Lincoln for the second on April 23.  It is great to use my experience to enthuse others and to give something back to the community,” she said.

Along with academic success and a legal career, Ebony has been modelling since she was a tot.  She had her first photo-shoot when she was just five years old, before being selected for a Prom Fashion Show at the age of 11.

Soon after, she began concentrating on her studies, including her A Levels and law degree, in line with her determination to join the legal profession.

At the age of 18, Ebony was one of 50 people selected out of 15,000 models nationally to take part in the Face of the Hair Group competition.  It was then she realised she would love to do more modelling sessions.

After being chosen to be one of the finalists in the TOP MODEL UK competition 2013, she was selected to "walk" for the first time at London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013.

Ebony has graced the catwalk at this prestigious twice-yearly event nine times so far, along with appearances in British Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle, fashion features on international TV and other live professional shows.  She is currently mentoring TOP MODEL UK and Worldwide finalists for 2018 in London!

Lincoln Fashion Week runs from May 4 to 11 – with our unmissable finale taking place at Alive Church in Newland, on May 11.

Standard tickets cost £18, but “early birds” can get a standard ticket for just £12 (saving £6 on the normal) price, if they book by Saturday, March 31.  These are available from our website www.lincolnfashionweek.co.uk

VIP tickets, costing £24, are available for fashionistas who really want to treat themselves. These ticket-holders will be able to avoid queuing to gain entry on the night, enjoy premium seating and unlimited bubbly and canapes served by Des Davis of Margaret’s Tea Room.

Everyone who books tickets will get a tote bag containing exclusive offers and goodies, a glass of bubbly on arrival and a wristband – allowing them free access to our after-show party at The Scene, Lincoln.

This year’s dazzing Fashion Finale will mark the culmination of our most ambitious Lincoln Fashion Week to date.

Head of Lincoln Fashion Week Jessica Wickham said: “Together with our sponsors, we are really pulling out all the stops this year to make the third Lincoln Fashion Week more memorable than ever.

“This time we have teamed-up with a special charity partner - The Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust (LNAACT), which will be receiving 50 per cent of all our ticket sales for the finale.

“The ambucopter charity, which can reach any point within the two counties in less than 20 minutes, and which responds to some of the most serious 999 calls, 365 days a year, wants to move towards 24-hours flying by the end of this year.

“This means it will need to find about £4 million a year, compared with its current requirement for £2.5m,” said Jessica.

Lincoln Fashion Week will kick-off with our Launch and Live Mannequin Display, which takes place on Friday, May 4 – between 11am and 2pm – at locations city wide.

“The finishing touches are also being put to a fabulous free Children’s Fashion Show, which is due to take place on May 7 – between 11am and 3pm - on the first floor of Debenhams, St. Marks Shopping Centre.” said Jessica.

 Staff from city salon Talking Heads and The Body Shop, will also be doing style demonstrations in The Waterside Shopping Centre on Tuesday and Thursday, May 8 and 10 – between 11am and 2pm.

 LFW’s main supporters are The Waterside Shopping Centre, St Marks Shopping Centre, the motor group Pentagon and Toni & Guy who will be completing the looks for the Catwalk Finale.  

 Our “spotlight” retailers – who are showcasing larger collections at our finale show - are  M&S, Primark and House of Fraser. LFW will also be joined by 10 student designers from Sir William Robertson Academy, who won the exclusive prize of showcasing their handmade collections on the Lincoln Fashion Week Finale Catwalk at The Design Academy Fashion Show in 2017.