Outside Equinox, from left: Hannah Mitchell, Louise Adams, Natalie McKenna and Soray Reynolds (front).
It promised to be a Lake District fashion show to surpass all others. No drafty village hall or school assembly room full of stacked up chairs for this special event. The evening, in aid of the charity Breast Cancer Campaign, was to be held at the newly-refurbished Old England Hotel & Spa, in Bowness.
With leaflets printed to a glossy high standard showing all of the outfits to be worn on the runway, and goodie bags containing - among other gifts - such luxuries as Decleor skin care, and Wella SP professional hair care products, the sell-out evening was off to a good start.
Models' were brought in by Equinox Hair & Beauty - all clients who were more than happy to have their hair re-styled and coloured by the talented team at the Bowness salon - led by stylists and owners Soray Reynolds and Louise Adams.
Soray told me: "We didn't want to just show off the hair, make-up and clothes on young, skinny girls - that's not reality. Our models are our clients, and as real women they come in all shapes and sizes, and are aged from 15 to early 40s. They are all gorgeous and all bring something individual to the looks they are wearing for us."
The models certainly looked the part - beautifully styled, with the latest trends in fashion supplied by the Dressing Room, of Bowness.
Victoria Blanco, stylist at the Dressing Room, told me: "We chose a really eclectic mix of the latest spring/summer fashion. At the Dressing Room we retail many different design labels that suit different shapes and ages of women. It was wonderful to show them off on real women, they all wore the clothes really well, they looked amazing."
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The lucky models were also treated to make-up - to complete their make-overs for the show supplied by the newly-formed spa team at the new Old England Hotel spa.
With local retailers providing fantastic prizes for the auction and raffle, and ten pounds from each ticket sale going directly to the charity, Breast Cancer Campaign received nearly £3000,00 from the event - a fabulous achievement.
The hard work paid off for all involved with the show - a big relief for Soray Reynolds who had, along with partner Louise, come up with the idea for the evening some months ago.
"We knew that we wanted to do something for the local community, and something that would highlight breast cancer awareness for women. It's a charity that we have both been involved with befoRE," said Soray.
Before now, Soray had simply been aware of the charity's work and of the need to promote cancer awareness.
"A couple of weeks before the fashion evening, I had been moving my bra strap and I noticed what I thought was a lump. I went to my doctors and they sent me straight to the hospital for tests. The night of the fashion show I was all too aware that I was to get my results the next morning. It was a really bizarre experience; everyone talking about the breast cancer charity and me, trying my best to enjoy the night, and not to think of my own problem."
Unfortunately, Soray's worst fears were indeed confirmed, and the news was given to her that she herself has breast cancer.
"How totally ironic that we had chosen this particular cancer charity, I was just so pleased that we'd been able to raise so much for them. It's made me even more determined to help highlight the need for women to check their breasts for any changes. Breast cancer is on the increase and, although the recovery rates are quite high, it's far better to catch it early."
Soray has now had some of her lymph glands removed, and is due to begin chemotherapy. She laughed as she told me of her planned shopping trip to buy a few up-to-date wigs.
As a top stylist she will no doubt find some incredible new hairstyles to wear, and look even more fabulous than she does now - a tribute to her up-beat and very brave attitude at this difficult time.
Equinox Hair & Beauty Salon, 1 St Martin's Parade, Bowness. Tel 015394-44121.
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