Fashion On The Rows was a community engagement project led by artist Estelle Woolley, as part of CWAC’s Refresh initiative; a cultural recovery programme designed to bring high quality arts and cultural activities back into the City, including the Heritage Action Zone bid in which culture and creative activity is inspired by the distinctive heritage of the Rows.

The brief was to highlight Chester's old millinery trade, the History of promenading along the Rows, and the closure of Browns department store, whilst engaging with the local community and collaborating with other creatives. The project included commissions by local creatives; singer/songwriter Ashley Fayth and filmmaker Sam Ryley.

Fayth’s song Feathers, Hats and Crowns weaves a delicate narrative of Susannah/ ‘Susie’ Brown and how she came to open Browns department store back in 1780.

Woolley’s choice of natural materials such as taxidermy and curiosities was inspired by a Victorian aesthetic and how the Victorians with their taste for the unusual celebrated the rows when they were in danger of closing in the 1800s. She was joined by a creative team from across the UK on the day, including previous collaborator - Edinburgh based portrait photographer Jaime Molina.

The photoshoot incorporated people from the local community and the University of Chester, alongside models from Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cheshire, and hair and makeup artists from Merseyside.

MUSIC: Ashley Fayth
PHOTOGRAPHY: Jaime Molina
HEADWEAR: Estelle Woolley
MODELS (in order of appearance): Zoe Birtwhistle, Bex Wild, Sally Patterson, Amanda Higgins, Alan Baker
HAIR: Danielle Leyland
MAKEUP: Lauren Wills and Caitlin Lynch
STAGE MANAGING: Luke Moore