Fusing Music and Fashion at London Fashion Week.

9 Sept

One of London Fashion Week’s most celebrated events, THIS IS ICON will return to the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms near Covent Garden in aid of the prostate cancer charity prost8.org.uk on Friday 15th September.

Three electrifying runway shows, a charity single release and a host of celebrities including a much awaited appearance by Julia Haart from the hit Netflix series ‘My Unorthodox Life’ will guarantee an experience to thrill.

One of the fashion industry's most beloved global designers, Taiwanese-born fashion designer Malan Breton, who has dressed everyone from Priyanka Chopra to Ariana Grande, will kick off the evening with the final collection of his iconic brand. Dazzling on the catwalk will be a raft of supermodels, including the return of one of the 90’s most famous supermodels, a muse of John Galliano, Alexander Mcqueen, Kenzo, Gianni Versace, and Thierry Mugler. Also included, will be non-binary model, fashion influencer and LBGT activist Elton Ilirjani along with Gaia Wise, the daughter of Emma Thompson and Greg Wise.

Later in the evening the up-and-coming fashion designer Ross Griffiths will present his 'wearable for everyone' Kingfisher Couture SS24 collection followed by the latest offering from the talented designers at the Jimmy Choo Academy (JCA).

One of the evening's highlights will a performance by the NME’s hotly tipped girl band Y.Q.S who will also release their new single ‘Love Language’ in aid of Prost8 UK. Y.Q.S is currently creating a buzz in the UK music scene with their one-of-a-kind fusion of contemporary R&B, Afro-Swing Pop, and Latin influences.

Over the last four years, THIS IS ICON, founded by Helen Georgio and Rachael Lewis, has brought together fashion and music through a series of high octane events celebrating established and emerging talent while sparking a conversation around chosen causes and fund-raising for various charities.

And this show will be no exception as THIS IS ICON will raise money for Prost8, a charity dedicated to deliver cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedures to men diagnosed with low to intermediate prostate cancer.

Helen Georgio explained: “THIS IS ICON sets out to deliver another star-studded and glamorous event where we offer the stage to some truly talented people from the worlds of fashion and music.

“Making a difference is part of our DNA and once again we will be raising funds for Prost8 UK who are on a vital mission to offer the best and most innovative non-invasive treatments to men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer survivor and founder of Prost8, Paul Sayer said: “Prost8 UK is delighted to be involved with THIS IS ICON at London Fashion Week. Although most of the audience will feel that prostate cancer is unlikely to affect them, the statistics show that most will be touched by the disease at some point in their lives, whether it be their father, uncle, brother or friend who suffers from it.

“It is our mission to cut out the aggressive procedures that are currently being offered to men with treatable localised prostate cancer. Overtreatment frequently leaves men with erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. Our MAD campaign which stands for (protect) 'Manhood and Dignity' will help us raise the money to fund focal ultrasound and cryotherapy treatment units into NHS hospitals across the UK.

“The good news is, that now having secured sufficient funds, we will soon deploy our first treatment unit in a hospital in the South West of England.

“1 in 8 men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, so it is critical that treatment centres are in place. This equates to 500,000 men who will be newly diagnosed in the next ten years alone! With 24m adult men in the UK, if just 1 in 8 donated £1 we would reach our £3m target instantly."

Helen Georgio added: "In addition to performances by the acclaimed solo artists Khristina W, 90's icon Crystal Walters and T Green, we have massive surprises planned on the night. And with a plethora of celebrities and supermodels, THIS IS ICON promises glamour and great entertainment for a really worthy cause."

Melanie Faldo

Fashion & Lifestyle

Writer and Contributor

Melanie Faldo is a public relations professional whose enthusiasm for the job remains as vibrant as ever after a quarter of a century in PR.

Having graduated from Warwick University, Melanie became a journalist before entering the world of book publishing.

After writing two books, she launched her own PR agency in 1993, its immediate success resting on the solid foundation of a bespoke high profile client base, the promotion of brand identities, and special events management. Today Melanie's clients span numerous industries including, but not limited to, the fashion, music and entertainment, beauty and health, business and charity sectors.