Bowie By Satellite For Prince's Trust In October

Fa-fa-fa-fa fashion…

Details of the Fashion Rocks extravaganza for the Prince’s Trust were released yesterday. The event takes place at the Royal Albert Hall in London on October 15th, and, apart from appearances from such artists as Robbie Williams, Bryan Ferry and Elton John, the night will be of particular interest to those of you reading this, due to the fact that David Bowie will provide a live performance via satellite for the finale. Victoria Beckham will also take part in some way or another, though I believe this is unlikely to be a musical performance.

Fashion Rocks, is expected to raise nearly £1 million in ticket sales and several million more through global television rights for the Prince’s Trust charity. The actress and model Elizabeth Hurley will compere the show. Nicholas Coleridge, the event’s chairman and managing director of Condé Nast, said it would be the largest fashion-music performance ever staged.

Sir Tom Shebbeare, chief executive of The Prince?s Trust, said: “Fashion Rocks is a hugely exciting fundraising event for The Prince?s Trust. Music and fashion is a powerful combination and the fantastic support we have received from long-standing Trust supporters like Nicholas Coleridge and icons from the world of showbusiness will help us to give even more young people a second chance in life.” The trust is Britain’s leading charity for young people aged 14 to 30.

The designers who will show their autumn-winter ’03 collections are Giorgio Armani, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and Gucci, representing Italy; Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan and Tommy Hilfiger for America; Chanel, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Chloe, for France; and Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Julien Macdonald, Matthew Williamson and Burberry for Britain.

Nicholas Coleridge also had this to say about the event: “We will be building the biggest circular catwalk in the world, with the world’s largest video screen. There will be a cast of 180 models presenting 18 four-and-a-half minute fashion shows with a performance by a major artist chosen by each design house. David Bowie will perform for the finale. Channel 4 will screen it in prime time and it has been pre-sold to 17 countries. The combined television audience could reach 300 million.”

Tickets are on sale now, costing £40 to £10,000 for grand tier boxes seating 12 people. For ticket sales and information telephone the Royal Albert Hall box office on 020 7589 8212… Please remember that David will not actually be performing live at the venue, but via a satellite link-up only.