Croydon Fashion Festival launches this weekend with a series of events across the town centre.

Vistors to the borough will be treated to an action-packed weekend of live events, shopping offers and catwalk shows as Croydon gets all dressed up for the weekend.

The Croydon Business improvement District event, which runs from Friday, April 23, to Sunday, April 25, will see the best of fashion trends on display.

On Friday there will be hair and beauty demonstrations in Allders Square, the Whitgift shopping centre as well as an art and fashion exhibition and a cutting edgefashion exhibition.

On Satuday there will be drinks and nibbles at Monet Jewellery, located in the Allders Fashion Accessories Hall on the ground floor of the Whitgift Centre as well as mini-makeovers in the Centrale shopping centre.

Sunday will see the Whitgift Centre hosting a dance-off between local dance troupes from Croydon College and Love 2 Dance among others.

Ros Morgan, BID manager said: “The 2009 event attracted more than 600,000 visitors to the town centre area.

“We’re hoping to see similarly large numbers coming to Croydon to enjoy all the free events and shows this year. Croydon Fashion festival proved to be one of the highlights of 2009 and we’re sure this year’s Festival will be just as popular as ever.”

For more information on any of the upcoming events, go to croydonfashionfestival.com.

VOTE NOW.

Vote on your favourite charity shop window design as part of the Charity Shop Challenge – being run as part of the Croydon Fashion Festival this year.

The idea behind the project is to create eye catching window designs raising the exposure of the charity shops using quality products that can be obtained in store.

Using recycling and eco sustainability is also encouraged.

The winner will receive a two week work placement with House of Fraser Store Visual Merchandiser and an iPod from vrSoftware. Vote online at croydonguardian.co.uk/fashionfestival.

COMPETITION.

The Croydon Guardian has teamed up with Centrale shopping centre to give away £300 of shopping vouchers.

To celebrate the Croydon Fashion Festival, Centrale is offering one reader £300 of vouchers to completely re-vamp their summer wardrobe.

The winner will receive £100 each from stylish retailers French Connection, Miss Selfridge and JoY. From April 23 Centrale shopping centre will host themed catwalk shows to inspire your summer wardrobe, as well as colour consultations and make-up demonstrations. Visit centrale.co.uk for more information.

To enter answer this simple question: Which international fashion model was born in Croydon?

A. Kate Moss B. Naomi Campbell C. Elle Macpherson Send your text to 80360 starting with FASHION leave a space, followed by your answer, name and contact details.

Texts cost 50p plus your normal operator text charge Telephone and text voting lines close Tuesday, April 27, at noon. For full terms and conditions visit newsquest.co.uk/terms. Service Provided by Newsquest Media Group.