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I know this blog is called Hip Shapes and Bristol Fashion but sometimes I can’t help blogging about other great places to shop.   Bath, is only a 15 minute train ride from Bristol and it offers a great shopping experience, it’s one of my favourite cities for shopping, along with Bristol of course. 

The great thing about being a totally independent personal stylist (by which I mean that I’m not tied to a shopping mall and am not expected to take X amount of money per client..I work completely independent of anyone) is that I will take my clients to the shops that suit them best; this means for their shape, size, style and budget.  And more and more, I find I’m taking clients shopping in Bath. 

Bath was the place to go for fashion and pampering in Georgian times and today, things haven’t changed.  The city is home to the brilliant Fashion Museum  and offers shoppers a fabulous selection of independent boutiques and delicious cafes to recuperate in, between purchases.  Culture, stunning architecture, fabulous style and great food all within walking distance, it doesn’t get much better!

Over the last few years Bath has held a weeklong event ‘Bath In Fashion’ celebrating fashion and style in the city, it’s a great way to discover what Bath has to offer, and this year’s event - Sunday 25th March to Sunday 1 April 2012 - looks to the best yet.

Guest celebrities from the world of fashion include shoe god and Bath resident  Manolo Blahnik, who will be in conversation with Iain R Webb at the Holburne Museum, Tuesday 29th March.  The Holburne Museum will also host master milliner Stephen Jones in conversation with Sarah Mower MBE, contributor to American Vogue on Friday 30th March. A special retrospective exhibition at the Holburne of Stephen Jones’ work will also be a fashion highlight. 

Don’t miss out on a seat at the catwalk shows from Spring/Summer ’12 Collections paraded at the glittering Guildhall and designer fashions at the Assembly Rooms. Bath in Fashion 2012’s guest designer, Amanda Wakeley will be bringing her show directly from London Fashion Week, to the art deco Ballroom at the Forum.


Julian Roberts will be presenting a Subtraction Cutting Masterclass on Saturday 31st March demonstrating his unique approach to pattern cutting. Karen Nicol will be running a workshop, sharing her enthusiasm for embellishment showing techniques for cutwork, pleating, sewn strip, sequins and tufts.

Biba fans are in for a treat with a screening of “Beyond Biba” at the Little Theatre Cinema, Wednesday 28th March. Barbara Hulanicki who created the brand will be flying in from Miami to introduce the film. Sir Christopher Frayling, former Chair of the Arts Council is to introduce the classic film “Funny Face” starring screen legend Audrey Hepburn.

Other speakers include Roger Saul who created Mulberry and has now established a designer outlet centre, the Kilver Court Emporium as well as Matteo Alessi. The week culminates with Vintage Sunday on 1st April with a Vintage Fashion Fair and The Secret Tea Party at Green Park Station with best dressed outfit chosen by Pearl Lowe.

There are so many talks, workshops and catwalk shows featuring the best of Baths local boutiques…you really won’t want to miss out!  To find out what’s on and when, click here.

Are you planning on going?  What do you just HAVE to see?

All images thanks to Nicky Hancock