September 10, 2015 — The following was released by the New Bedford Working Waterfront Festival:
On the eve of Boston Fashion Week, fishermen in New Bedford, the nation’s top dollar fishing port, will strut their stuff in the world’s first fishing gear fashion show. Fishermen will model the latest product lines as well as gear from different fisheries and different eras to provide an entertaining look at how workplace clothing has evolved over time. The fashion show will take place on Saturday, September 26th at 2PM as part of the 2015 Working Waterfront Festival, an annual event celebrating commercial fishing culture.
Local businesses that manufacture and retail clothing for the commercial fishing industry have stepped up to provide the gear to be modeled. Skips Marine, Euro Fishing Gear, and Guy Cotten will present the latest in foul weather gear including outerwear, sea boots, and work gloves. Hercules LLC will model safety gear such as PFDs and survival suits. The Landing will show off its line of gear for women who fish commercially as well as specialized aprons developed for fish cutters. In addition, the event will include examples of gear from earlier times to provide a historical perspective.
According to Festival Director, Laura Orleans, “Like most occupations, the fishing industry has its own particular clothing much of which is designed to keep fishermen dry and warm while at sea. The fashion show concept was inspired by Jon Campbell’s (a Rhode Island singer songwriter) song Fredericks of Galilee which he will perform live at the event. I think this will be a fun way to promote these products and the local businesses that sell them.”
The Working Waterfront Festival is a project of the Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern MA, a non-profit organization. The FREE festival, a family friendly, educational celebration of New England’s commercial fishing industry, features live maritime and ethnic music, fishermen’s contests, fresh seafood, vessel tours, maritime authors, cooking demonstrations, kid’s activities and more. It all takes place on working piers and waterfront parks in New Bedford, MA, America’s #1 fishing port, on the last full weekend in September. Navigate to us at www.workingwaterfrontfestival.org.
