Vari*Lite luminaires light 'Fashion Rocks'

Wednesday 15th October was the night that 'Fashion Rocks for The Prince's Trust' took over the Royal Albert Hall for an extravagant and quite unusual fundraising event where some of the biggest names in fashion and music collaborated. Top designers including Armani, Gucci, Dior, Prada, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Versace and Yves St Laurent showed their fabulous autumn and winter collections, worn by some of the top supermodels. Actress and model Elizabeth Hurley presented the nights glamour alongside comedian Dennis Leary. She wore 17 different outfits throughout the evening, one from each designer! Pop acts and singers such as Blue, Grace Jones, Sheryl Crow, Bryan Ferry, Bjork, Duran Duran, Robbie Williams and Beyonce Knowles performed, each wearing a designer outfit, while the likes of Naomi Campbell, Jodie Kidd, Sophie Dahl, and Helena Christensen strutted their stuff on the circular catwalk. The show was watched by an audience of 5,800 including The Prince of Wales himself. Guest presenters included a surprise appearance from Richard Gere and Minnie Driver was there to cover the backstage frolics. VLPS Lighting Services were the lighting supplier to this sold out event, which was the first of it's kind, and supplied 38 x VARI*LITE VL3000 spot luminaires, 2 x VL1000 AI luminaires, 26 x VL1000 AS luminaires, 81 x VL2416 wash luminaires, 25 x VL6C spot luminaires, plus 25 x James Thomas Pixel Lines run from a Virtuoso control console operated by Mike 'Oz' Owen. VLPS also provided all the truss and motors, as well as the crew. Lighting Designer Mark Cunniffe commented: "The Fashion Rocks production team cracked the art of staging a world class fashion spectacular for a global TV audience. It was a pleasure to be involved in such a project and my job was made all the more enjoyable by a dedicated and professional crew and faultless equipment". VLPS' Mick Healey commented "What a night! The atmosphere was electric and the whole night went fantastically well. VLPS are very proud to be the lighting supplier for this worthwhile cause" The night was brought to an end by the legendary David Bowie via a music video, which was specially produced for the event. The song was suitably titled 'Fashion'. For those who were not lucky enough to get a ticket, saw the action on Sunday the 19th October, when it was shown on Channel 4 as well as it being broadcast on over 70 international stations. The Princes Trust was founded in 1976 HRH The Prince of Wales, and has since helped nearly half a million people aged between 14-30, through practical support such as training, mentoring and financial help.