FAMOUS footballers rubbed shoulders with professional models on the catwalk, to showcase what South Coast Fashion Week will bring to Bournemouth next spring.

Southampton FC players Adam Lallana, James Beattie and Billy Sharp swapped their kit for style to strut their stuff down the runway.

Poole-based James Beattie, now manager of Accrington Stanley, said: “I’m more nervous doing this than going on the pitch.”

Saints Captain, Adam Lallana, said: “It was surprisingly good, I felt nervous before, though.” Despite refusing to give up the day job he joked: “It might be an option when I retire.”

The pre-launch was showcased by Poole-based LMP Model Boutique. Backstage, the six professional LMP models were buzzing with excitement, joking about who was the biggest diva of the group, whilst munching on party rings. They were careful not to spill crumbs though, after spending three and a half hours in hair and make-up.

Clinique and Benefit cosmetics were the make-up artists for the show, alongside hair stylists from Bournemouth-based Scissors Salons. The garments modelled on the catwalk were styles chosen from collections of Bournemouth’s House of Fraser store.

Taylor Conifer, 20, was delighted that next year’s South Coast Fashion Week will involve young people. She said: “The university very much organises the event and fashion graduates of Bournemouth are involved.”

Dominik Foyle, 25, said: “It’s great to see an event that includes everything; charity, dance acts, fresh talents.”

Emma Ward, 24, looked phenomenal on the runway with a spectacular hair-style twice the size of her head. This came as no surprise after, she said, stylists had been working their magic from 3.30pm to 7.30pm. “It’s great fun and puts Bournemouth on the map”, she said.

“I really like the Farah range”, Hamish Baxter, 19, said after confessing to purchasing most of the items he has recently modelled for the launch.

Mory Cisse, 30, who has modelled for LMP for 10 years said: “It’s new, it’s modern and it’s great to get involved with charity.”

Up-and-coming musicians Paddy Kelly, Ellie Harris and Charley Macaulay also performed on the night, along with a dance extravaganza from Poole-based male dance company, Whitewash.

At the pre-launch event, aspiring male and female models could register for The Face Model Search competition. The last chance to register for this takes place at House of Fraser, Bournemouth, 6.00pm - 8.00pm on November 29. Successful entrants will be contacted and invited to take part in a live runway show in The Square, Bournemouth, on December 8 at 12.30pm.

Over 150 unique boutiques, designer labels and high street brands are expected to take part in South Coast Fashion Week next year, along with celebrity appearances and live music.

Event manager, Mandy Pearce, said: “We would like South Coast Fashion Week to become a key date in every fashionista’s diary and grow into a popular, and well managed event.”

To get involved, either as an exhibitor or sponsor, or for more details visit: southcoastfashionweek.co.uk