THIS week, we’re shouting about a series of fashion-focused family-friendly events that are being held in Swindon through the rest of May.

Love Fashion Live celebrates the town’s beauty retailers while offering shoppers a chance to try out different treatments and even get a makeover.

Following a successful first year, the inSwindon BID team has pulled out all the stops to make its second year bigger and better.

Events consultant Jules Brogan said: “There’s a lot more happening and for longer this time.

"It’s a great achievement for the town centre and it is by far the biggest project that we’ve worked on, with 25 retailers working together. And we’re thrilled to have New College joining it too.

“This brings the town centre together, which is what all our events aim to do. All but one of the events are free and the one that does have a fee is only £5, so we are keeping the costs for guests near to non-existent to encourage more people to come along and engage with retailers in a new and exciting way.”

New College students have brought their skills and styles to the month-long initiative by launching a new Make Up Your Mind fashion and beauty exhibition today at 11am with all sorts of weird and wonderful props, wigs, costumes and prosthetics for film and TV in the unit next to H&M on the Parade that will last from 11am to 3pm daily until Monday, May 27.

Students from the college will host a body art boutique on May 25 and 26 to give visitors glitter tattoos and facepainting while showing off body painting demonstrations in the lower arcade of the Brunel Shopping Centre from 11am to 3pm.

The Personalisation Station will return for a second year on the weekend of May 18 and 19 on the Upper Plaza of the Brunel centre from 11am to 3pm each day, with free make-up, fragrance and skincare demonstrations on offer from Boots and Aqua G.

The Crossing will then host a Secret Style Night on Monday, May 2,0 from 7pm with Swindon’s own national TV and beauty expert Gina Akers, a showcase of top trends and tips as well as some real-life transformations from a secret stylist for lucky nominees.

Tickets for the Secret Style Night are £5 each and available at eventbrite.co.uk/e/secret-style-night-tickets-59315963644

Finally, a Fashion Corner Crafts event for families to get creative will be held in the lower arcade from 11am-3pm on May 31.

InSwindon BID CEO Di Powell said, “We are all really excited about this event. Through this collaboration with our shopping centres, we are able to build on last year’s brilliant event and showcase Love Fashion Live throughout the whole town centre.

“We have over 80 national and independent fashion and beauty retailers and this is something to be proud of.

“I would encourage everyone to take advantage of the great shopping experience, the offers and events and show their passion for shopping local in Swindon town centre.”

This year’s Love Fashion Live month began with a beauty pop-up for hair, eyebrow and makeup styling in the Parade on May 4. The fashion show that gives the event its name was hailed as a success when it launched the year before but its second show which was due to be held today with former Blue popstar Lee Ryan had to be cancelled due to low ticket sales.

Is there something about Swindon that you want to shout about? It could be a well-known charity, an under-appreciated community group, a kind-hearted resident that helps out around town, it could be anything and anyone who makes a positive difference to the lives of people in Swindon and deserves a bit of time in the spotlight.

If you have any ideas for ideal candidates who could be in future Shout About Swindon stories, please get in touch by calling 01793 501734 or email daniel.angelini@newsquest.co.uk