The annual Bermuda Fashion Festival is set to take place in July.

Now organisers are calling on models, retailers and salons interested in taking part to sign up.

A spokeswoman for the City of Hamilton said: “The Festival is celebrating its 9th year as one of the most highly anticipated events on Bermuda’s social calendar.

“2017 saw its departure from a summer show to a fall event. This was largely in part due to the busy summer season afforded to Bermuda by the activities and events associated with the America’s Cup.

“The Bermuda Fashion Festival is back to its summer roots and is anticipating another exciting week of exceptional fashion and high energy runway shows.”

The Festival will kick off with the Evolution Retail Show featuring fashion from local retailers on July 8.

The Hair & Beauty Show will take place on July 9 and the International Designer Show will be on July 12, followed by the Local Designer Show on July 13.

The Bermuda Fashion Expo, featuring all of the local designers in the Festival as well as other Bermuda designers, will be held on July 14.

The spokeswoman added: “The Festival is calling on all retailers and salons interested in participating to sign up no later than March 1, by sending an email to info@bermudafashionfestival.com and requesting an application package.”

She said submissions by local designers should be delivered to by 5pm on March 2.

“Successful applicants must be prepared to embark on a four-month mentor programme that will prepare them to introduce their brand at the Local Designer Show.

She spokeswoman added that model auditions will take place on March 10 and March 11 at the lower level of Pier 6 between 11am and 3pm.

“Children aged six and over will audition on March 10 and adults will audition on March 11.

“All models are asked to wear a white fitted tee and blue fitted jeans or shorts.

“Men and children must wear white sneakers or black dress shoes and ladies are asked to wear black heels, four inch minimum, no wedges. All adults are asked to bring a swimsuit.”

The festival will run from July 8 to July 14. All runway shows will be held under canvas at No. 1 Car Park.

The criteria for the design proposal can be found online at www.bermudafashionfestival.com.

For more information, contact the event project manager on 279-5254 or e-mail bdafashionfest@cityhall.bm.