Stand Up: Ally Ferrans, FS Director

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Alastair Ferrans’ mum doesn’t know what she’s in for. In less than two weeks’ time, she’ll be sitting in the coveted corporate area of what has been labeled ‘the largest and most successful student run event in the UK’, watching the party around the catwalk as beautifully choreographed models strike poses. Champagne will be flowing,  models will undoubtedly be very sexy, and over 1500 people will be revelling alongside her. Ally’s mum will really have something to be proud of, because without Ally, none of this outrageous evening would be quite so polished.

The 2014 Director of the St Andrews Charity Fashion show – FS, as we know it – has worked through the ranks as a marketing team member, Head of Marketing and Advertising, and now the MVP himself.

“My friends will tell you I’m not very fashionable,” he says, “Pretty much a terrible match for FS.”

So what has Ally’s reign brought? First he is keen to focus on the things that make FS – the charity and the fashion.

“We’re showing a mix of some very established designers – Topman, Hackett – but also putting a spotlight on some up-and-coming designers. Judy Clarke won Womenswear Designer of the Year at the Scottish Style Awards, and we will of course be showing the finalists for the Young Designer Award.”

In its fourth year, the YD award will be judged on the day of the show by a panel of press, fashionistas and designers. The winner will discover their success when their collection walks out on to the runway as the last of the five finalists.

As for the charity, this year the show will benefit South Street-based Association for International Cancer Research. Amazingly, the AICR gives out tens of millions of grants from their St Andrews office to projects across the globe, helping make a tangible difference in the worldwide combat with cancer.

“We’re trying to beat the £27,500 which was raised last year. With the AICR we’ve met such a friendly bunch of people doing such great things, and it really hits home what the fundraising will actually mean. I think it shows that FS is so much more than a label.”

Any special surprises for the audience?

“We’ve got more alcohol. As much as we are legally allowed anyway! The champagne this year is Nicholas Feuillatte, with two bottles on each table as well as available to buy at the bar, and some cocktails. Everyone also gets a miniature bottle on arrival.”

Clearly this is no disappointing cava substitute, just give Nicholas a google if you don’t believe it, and with a union-run bar general drinks prices shouldn’t be too hefty. There’s good news from the press side too:

“We’re also pretty excited to say that the New York Times will be attending, the first time we’ve hosted an American publication. They’re writing a wider piece on the University and their two-day visit just so happens to fall on that weekend – it was pretty humbling that they had heard of the show.”

The table ballot was back in November, but if you missed out on that then don’t panic  – after party tickets will be on sale this Friday at the Union. You’ll need to get in there quick though, as they’re going to be highly in demand.

‘We could have already sold the show twice over, so we’re expecting massive demand for after party tickets!”

Rumours of dropping ticket sales then, seem rather ludicrous.

‘This year the after party is going to be a bit of a neon theme, along with the shows overarching theme of Bright Young Things, inspired by Evelyn Waugh’s literary work. It’s called STOPSTART, the idea being that as one party ends, the other begins. We always get feedback from the previous year and change some aspects – although I don’t want to give too much away. We’ve tweaked the venue so it’s bigger and there’s some cool production in the space, so it will be a very different venue than what you expect from a marquee – hopefully much more than a “marquee on Lower College Lawn!”’

Always a hot topic, the gift bags this year seem newsworthy, with sponsors including PwC, Yacht Week, realty company The Next Step and Bacardi. Expect shot glasses, matchsticks, cards, and other useful stuff.

“Sadly PwC won’t be giving out graduate jobs…that would be nice…”

The 2014 St Andrews Charity Fashion Show will take place on Lower College Lawn on Saturday 15th of February. See here for after party ticket info, or check out their website here

 

Images courtesy of St Andrews Charity Fashion Show