WOULD you like the opportunity to don one of these beautiful dresses and strut your stuff in the Abingdon Fashion Show?

Organisers of the inaugural event, which will take place on April 15 and 16, are on the hunt for male and female models with auditions being held at the Unicorn Theatre on January 30.

The Friends of Abingdon Civic Society – which owns the Unicorn – has teamed up with Oxford-based 13 Theatre Company, which will stage the show, with proceeds split between the two organisations.

Tracey Spokes, director of 13 Theatre Company, said: “The auditions are open to absolutely anyone over the age of 18 and we would love for people to come along and give it a go.

“Regardless of experience or age or background, the fashion show is a great chance for you to improve your confidence and help raise some money for the Unicorn Theatre.

“So don’t be nervous and just get yourself down there on January 30.”

The Unicorn Theatre is set in the Abingdon Abbey Buildings, having been founded in 1952.

Ms Spokes said: “As someone who works in the theatre industry, I think it’s really important to support a theatre like this.”

Rosemary Allan, events organiser for The Friends of Abingdon, said April’s show was taking inspiration from Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring and was part of a “dynamic programme of events for 2016”.

She added: “We want to promote our wonderful and historic buildings and raise funds for restoration and improvement work, while giving the people of Abingdon and the surrounding area a variety of unique entertainment events to enjoy.”

“We have some exciting new designers on board and the clothes will be modelled by local talent.

“Audience members will be able to order clothes and buy accessories as part of the event.

“To open the show, an original and exciting piece of dance is being created.”

The fashion show will have two separate categories: day wear and evening wear, which will feature clothes from some of the county’s finest outlets, including Thena and Ansari Bags and Clothing – both based in the Covered Market, Oxford.

Ansari Bags and Clothing owner Sultan Ansari will be providing the day wear for the fashion show.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to the fashion show and the opportunity to display some of the great clothes we’ve got here.

“It’s a good chance for the people of Oxfordshire to try out some of our gear and get themselves on the catwalk.”

Amber Shepherd, who works in Oxford clothing shop Thena and is planning to model for the event, said she had no doubt the clothes in the fashion show would be impressive.

The Sheffield University student said: “I was a customer of the shop for 12 years and couldn’t help but come back and work here alongside my university studies because the clothes are so great.

“Not only do I want to work here but I want to come back and model in the fashion show and I would encourage others to do the same.”

If you want to sign up for the auditions on January 30, email info@abingdonfashionshow.org.uk