The Bermuda Society of Arts (BSoA) Bermuda Fashion Collective show tomorrow evening promises a sneak peek at next season’s hottest fashions, including a line of bikinis made entirely from bottle tops.

The fashion show featuring only local designers is scheduled around the time of The Rugby Classic to give bored spouses of rugby enthusiasts, an alternative activity. Part of the proceeds from the Fashion Collective go to the BSoA art student bursary programme.

“Our series of fashion shows highlight ‘Fashion as Art’, and we feature all local designers showing their latest collections for the first time,” said Lesley Rego, BSoA Gallery Director. “This is very different from the usual shows in Bermuda, which feature new overseas lines from local clothing stores. We hope to encourage people to really buy Bermuda, not only from local stores, but actually from the creators of the product.”

She said there would be both well-known designers as well as some newcomers to the scene.

One of the new faces will be that of James Lee, bottle top bikini designer. He said for people who enjoy drinking on the beach, his amalgamation of bottle-wear and beachwear would match their “dizziest dreams”. One of his inspirations was a line of bikinis made entirely of guitar-picks designed by Susan Holmes Swimwear.

Other designers in the show will include Rene Hill, of Rene Hill Originals, Dana Cooper, Juliet Dyke of Julan Designs, Warwick Academy student Celine Morton, Amethyst, Dean Williams, Edith Rookes, Nicole Iris and Talibah Simmons.

“All will be unique with a few surprises in store,” said Ms Rego. “There will be fashions for both men and women, and although we are hoping to attract women whose men are at the rugby on Thursday night, men are more than welcome to attend.”

This is the fourth Bermuda Fashion Collective, and it will be held in the main gallery at BSoA at City Hall in Hamilton. The show usually sells out in this intimate setting.

Dana Cooper, who designs for New York company Glamour Puss NYC, said the exposure for local designers in the show was great, but what was really important, to her, was the money raised for art student bursaries.

She will be showing work from her spring and summer line that includes swim wear but also skirts and dresses with Bermuda inspired prints and colours. Pieces from her 2013 line are currently on sale at AS Coopers, but people who attend the show will have a chance to order some of next season’s hot numbers.

“I have been taking part in the BSOA Fashion Collective for a couple of years,” she said. “Suddenly, there was a whole explosion of fashion shows in Bermuda, a year ago. Unfortunately, some of the bigger shows are not focused on promoting local designers as much as they are pushing imported brands.”

There will be lots of goodies and extras at the show. For example, artist Emma Ingham will be on hand to sketch models in the show, and some of the designers, including Dean Williams, are offering discounts on their products to regular clients or to clients who bring someone new to the show.

“This will cover all of your Christmas gifts and New Year’s Eve wear,” said Mr Williams.

The Bermuda Fashion Collective is on tomorrow. Doors open at 5.30pm and the show starts at 6pm. Tickets are available from BSoA at 292-3824 or online at www.bdatix.bm. General admission is $40, and front row seats are $70. There will be a glass of bubbly before the show and a reception afterwards in the foyer of City Hall, where everyone can meet the designers and see their creations up close.

“We hope that this will result in orders for the designers, which is the whole idea of the show,” said Ms Rego.

For more information visit the BSOA website at www.bsoa.bm or call 292-3824.