Front Row fashion show wows the crowds as hundreds head to annual clothes extravaganza

Now in its third year, the Front Row Glamour Fashion Show includes a live catwalk show as well as a host of vintage stalls selling clothes, jewellery and accessories. And with an emphasis on recycling and reworking older garments perfect for the tighter financial times, the Charity Shop Challenge (CSC) winners were announced and invited to model their outfits. The Observer’s own sun and sea inspired outfit did not make the cut - with very good reason - but there was some top talent on display with people going to town with the Hastings Rocks theme to create some truly customised couture. Runaway winner of the CSR was Peter Quinnell, whose football/deck chair stripe inspired effort scooped three of the seven gongs available - best cut, best use of material and best overall outfit.

Organiser Maika Crampton said: “It was brilliant - all the clothes looked amazing and St-Mary-in-the-Castle is such a beautiful place so it was perfect. Everyone was very complimentary and the CSR entries were really inspired. Peter Quinnell was a worthy winner - there was a touch of Vivien Westwood to it.”