Out & About in Switzerland: Gwand for a fashion

Young designers hope to set the trend in Gwand. Keystone / Sigi Tischler

The sponsors of this year's "Gwand Fashion Events" hope it will help Lucerne join the ranks of Paris, London and New York as a fashion centre. The three-day event starts on October 19.

Some of the top names in the business will be attending, including the Grand Dame of British fashion, Vivienne Westwood, and the up and coming star, Tristan Webber.

The Gwand event is more than just a fashion show. According to the main organiser, Suzanna Vock, it’s a chance for designers, buyers and people from the textile industry to rub shoulders and exchange ideas.

The opening night is dedicated to a competition among European fashion schools, from Paris to St Petersburg, and including those from Zurich, Berne and Basel.

Swiss Design is the theme of day two. Awards will be given to Swiss designers most likely to succeed internationally. One of last year’s winners, Sandra Kuratle, will be back. The Zurich designer has already made a name for herself producing men’s skirts under the label, Amok.

Tristan Webber will be among the international stars presenting their spring and summer collections on the final night. Webber says his 2001 collection is inspired by “ancient Japanese rites and the virtual digital world”.

For the first time, Gwand is also hosting a fashion symposium. Vivienne Westwood will be one of the speakers invited to give their views on new ideas in design, lifestyle and society.

There’ll also be various art exhibitions on the fringes of the event, including a showing of selected films dedicated to fashion and lifestyle. Artists will also set up what they call a “blue box installation that turns people into movie stars on a big screen”.

The “Gwand Fashion Events” could turn some of the designers into stars in their own right.

swissinfo

Out & About in Switzerland is updated regularly to keep you informed of upcoming events, which may provide a different insight into the country and its people.