Europe’s biggest Hallowe’en festival to feature Wayne Hemingway inspired ‘Shape Shifting’ extravaganza

Londonderry’s first ‘Shape Shifting’ Catwalk extravaganza will debut in spectacular fashion on October 27, the first day of this year’s Hallowe’en festival where participants will be judged and awarded for their best efforts in costume design, makeup and hair by style guru Hemingway.

Brendan McMenamin, Arts Programme Officer said: “The Catwalk design challenge, which will have a ‘Shape Shifting’ theme – a concept that has been thrust onto the spotlight by the recent Twilight Saga and TV dramas such as True Blood, is a unique additional to this year’s festival and open to all budding artists, designers, stylists or just those with a vivid and creative flair of aged fourteen and over.

“We are thrilled that established designer and vintage festival organiser, Hemingway, is offering his artistic input as well as being present on the evening to judge and crown the select winners within each of the categories. A regular visitor to Derry he makes no secret of his interest in our City as the first to carry the mantle of the City of Culture status in 2013.”

Wayne Hemingway said: “It is an honour to be asked to contribute to the events of a city that is building up to be the UK’s first City of Culture.

“As someone with no formal design training, and having had over three exciting decades designing everything from fashion to houses, radios and festivals, I understand that initiatives like this give everyone a chance to demonstrate their creativity.

“The ‘Shape Shifting’ theme offers endless potential to explore the man-werewolf concept, a mythical legend where humans take on a new form.

“I invite the local creative talent whether they are designers, students, make-up artists, fashionistas, teachers, colourists or just simply ‘handy folk’ to contact and get involved. First and foremost this is a chance to have fun but you never know it could lead to a career in creativity.”

Joe Carlin Creative Designs, co-organiser Catwalk Design Challenge will host a series of master classes to facilitate the competition participants in the two weekends previous to the event, and explains the preparations can take also place at home, work or school.

“Following the phenomenal success of Catwalk Off The Walls on this year’s Culture Night, we will work with Derry City Council to enlist this year’s new exhibition of creepy couture.

“The Hallowe’en Best In Show event will begin at the Craft Village at 6pm, were our army of ‘Scary Spotters’ will shortlist over a number of different categories, the winners of each will be paraded in front of the export judging panel before strutting their stuff down the finale Catwalk event and straight onto the fashion and media spotlight. This is an incredible opportunity to showcase your creativity.”

The coveted titles for Best in Show will be awarded in a number of aptly named categories, as well as the overall winner in the Scream and Shoutfit Category for Best Outfit, there will be prizes for the Best Monster Make Up Award, Best Hair Raising Show Hair Style, Thrilling Theory Concept Award, the Green Goblin Award for best use of material and the Creepy Couple Award. The Best Shape Shifter Award will represent the theme in a separate category.

The winners of each respective category will be invited to model their creations at pride of place in the Carnival Parade on Wednesday, October 31, followed by the renowned Hallowe’en firework presentation.

For more details and to register your interest in the Best in Show ‘Shape Shifting’ Catwalk Challenge contact Joe Carlin on 07864965733.

Participants can enter the competition online and gather votes on Facebook. For a full five day programme of events for The Banks of the Foyle Halloween Festival, pick up a leaflet or log on to www.derrycitycouncil.gov.uk/halloween or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thebanksofthefoylehalloweencarnival