The Argus: Brighton Festival Fringe launches today
Brighton cultural groups are increasingly teaming up to help make May one of the biggest months for the arts in the UK.

The latest success story comes from the links forged between the city’s Fashion Week and the Fringe.

The Brighton Fashion Festival will launch their May 30 to June 3 event with a number of Fringe shows on Saturday, May 19.

Kicking off proceedings at 1pm by the Palace Pier, three models will frolic along the beach wearing the new Bugsy Pants swimwear line.

At 3pm in New Road, models will be staging an Alice in Wonderland-style tea party complete with tea and cupcakes.

The day’s events will then conclude in Victoria Gardens where trees will be draped in dresses while a model sits in an armchair playing a violin.

Liz Bishop, director of Brighton Fashion Week, said: “We wanted to have some fun with it and create a piece of theatre.

“I think it fits well with the Fringe and to be honest I think Brighton is the only place you could get away with having a group of models having a tea party at the side of the road.”

Brighton Fashion Festival has been holding events for eight years but this is only the third year they have had a Festival Week.

A number of events will take place from May 30 to June 3, with the aim of promoting up-and-coming designers and models – especially local ones.

Liz added: “We have worked with the Fringe for a few years now and they have been great in helping promote our event.

“I feel that local groups are really starting to support each other. The likes of Creative Studios and the Fringe have done things for us and we have supported them in return.

“It’s better when we all club together and help each other out. Otherwise everything goes to London.”

Julian Caddy, Fringe director, added: “I think it’s great to link up with other groups and especially important at a time when we are all up against it.

“I picked up the Brighton Fashion Week programme today and it looked great.”

The Brighton Fashion Festival programme is available in cafes, restaurants and shops across the city.

For more details about specific events visit brightonfashionweek.co.uk.

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