Ashbourne’s first Big Fashion Day Out has been hailed a huge success, bringing crowds into the town centre on Sunday 7 September 2025. Despite a few rain showers, spirits were high as hundreds of people flocked to St John Street to enjoy three spectacular fashion shows and a day full of community celebration.
The event transformed the newly renovated St John Street into a red-carpet runway and festival-style space, showcasing the very best of Ashbourne’s independent fashion retailers alongside live music, hospitality specials, and creative arts.
Audiences were thrilled by the shows, which highlighted Ashbourne’s unique mix of boutiques and brands, and applauded the town’s strong sense of community. Many visitors described the day as 'unforgettable' and 'a true showcase of what makes Ashbourne special.'
The day was a true collaboration, uniting businesses and organisations across the town – including Henmores, Sinfoil & Slater, Betty’s Sewing Box, Sacs, Young Ideas, Chic & Mini Chic, with the addition of Joules, Ashbourne Sports, Hope House Museum, and many others. Together with the wider community, they created an unforgettable celebration that blended fashion, heritage, and creativity.
The event also marked a significant milestone in the £15m UK Government funded Ashbourne Reborn regeneration programme, celebrating the imminent reopening and delivery of a fresh new streetscape on St John Street. The community organised event was able to go ahead the day before the popular shopping street reopened to traffic as the County Council led highways and public realm project delivered on schedule as planned.
Anne Wright, Chair of Ashbourne Town Team and organiser of the event, said:
“The Big Fashion Day Out was everything we hoped it would be – an uplifting celebration of fashion, community and regeneration. It showed how vibrant, creative and welcoming Ashbourne is. The response has been incredible, and it’s clear there is huge demand for this to become an annual event.”
With the success of its inaugural year, Ashbourne’s Big Fashion Day Out looks set to establish itself as a flagship annual celebration, cementing the town’s reputation as a leading destination for independent retail and community spirit.
Photos by Helena Yakutina
