British Embassy Santiago hosts ‘Shopping is GREAT’ event
A catwalk in the garden played host to a fashion show with models showing off latest styles from British designers and companies.
Models at Fashion is GREAT event
On Tuesday, 26 March the British Embassy in Santiago hosted a stylish party to celebrate the latest stream of the GREAT campaign – ‘Shopping is GREAT’. British Ambassador Jon Benjamin hosted the party at his residence to highlight the diversity, innovation and creativity of many of the British brands available in Chile.
Guests arrived to a dazzling display of British automotive excellence with cars from Jaguar, Landrover, Aston Martin, Mini, and the newest British marque to arrive in Chile, Rolls Royce. Meanwhile the gardens and terrace of the residence were the site of a stylish display of retail brands including: Loake shoes; Santiago’s Accent boutique which stocks exclusive UK brands; Top Shop and Top Man; Twinings tea; Mini design; Johnny Walker Black and Gold label whisky; Laura Ashley home; Whittards Tea; Mama’s and Papa’s; Lush cosmetics; Warehouse; Pepe Jeans; Mothercare; Whyte and MacKay Whisky; and Tanqueray gin. A catwalk which cut the garden in two then played host to a fashion show with models showing off the latest styles of some of the exhibiting companies before live music from the Chilean performer Mocca kept the party going.
The event aimed to highlight some of the British brands available in Chile, a dynamic retail market which was rated second in a study of 30 developing retail markets by A T Kearney’s Global Retail Development Index. Chile’s growing middle class and healthy economy has meant that a growing number of UK brands have arrived in Chile in recent years, a trend which is expected to continue. In addition to helping the UK economy and giving more options to Chilean consumers, the brands also help to spread awareness of the UK overseas.
Ambassador Jon Benjamin said in a speech to the 400 guests:
Many of the brands present here this evening represent the rare blend of characteristics for which the UK is well-known – a mix of the modern with the classic, creativity and innovation with an appreciation of our heritage and culture.