Putting On The Style

An innovative project will see cutting edge fashion from a leading Yorkshire college on the catwalk alongside internationally acclaimed brands at the Great Yorkshire Show – and give a boost to a local hospice.

NB: Images available to download at bottom of release

Inspiration for the garments being designed by students at York College has come from men’s suits which have been donated to the city’s St Leonard's Hospice shops.   The students are hard at work up-cycling the suits by de-constructing them, then re working the fabric into women’s wear, adding quirky touches and splashes of vibrant coloured fabrics along the way.

The project has just got underway and in due course garments will be selected and modelled on the catwalk at England's premier agricultural extravaganza which this year runs from Tuesday 12 – Thursday 14 July at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

The catwalk shows are an important and popular attraction at the event and the students' designs will feature along with collections from such illustrious names as Max Mara and Cordings of Piccadilly. And when the show is over, some of the garments will be auctioned to raise money for the hospice, whilst others will feature in student portfolios.

Described by the college as a major British Heritage project, it was the brainchild of John Warburton who, until he retired, spent 45 years in the fashion and textile industry. He is now a volunteer at the hospice's Selby branch and he is also Chief Steward in the Great Yorkshire Fashion Shows. John commented: “It is wonderful to see this hugely exciting initiative taking shape.  It works on so many levels - bringing together the creativity of the students, the prestige of the Great Yorkshire Show and the platform it gives, as well as highlighting the work of the Hospice. The catwalk shows are always immensely popular, attracting around 6,000 plus visitors - I can't wait to see the students' work featured there.”

The students, who are aged 16 and 17, are in their first year, studying the Extended Diploma in Fashion and Clothing. Their course finishes next year and is a stepping stone to higher education fashion courses at the College or other universities, or employment.

A key benefit for them is working on a real-time project and to an external brief, said lecturer, York College Fashion Tutor, Tara Berridge. Said Tara:  “The work produced by our young fashion students is insightful and innovative.  Their individual garments reflect a range of skills learnt on the course such as research, moulage modelling on mannequins, pattern cutting and garment manufacturing. This live project provides students with a fantastic opportunity to work in the wider community, on a live brief, for a real client, as would be the case in industry.”

The fashion shows take place four times daily in the Skipton Building Fashion Pavilion. They are organised by Morton Gledhill – The Fashion Team.

This will be the 158th Great Yorkshire Show and it will highlight the best of British farming and the countryside with thousands of animals in the competitive classes. The showground’s new £10m exhibition hall will make its debut as a food emporium and elsewhere attractions include displays by the motorcycle display team, Bolddog Lings, as well as international show jumping, a Garden Show, Art Show, and more than 1,300 stands with everything from jacuzzis to combine harvesters on display.

For the latest information see www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk

ENDS

29 April 2016

Judy Thompson, PR Manager, 01423 546215 or email judyt@yas.co.uk

Great Yorkshire Show 2016 Ticket Prices

                                    Advanced Prices                               Gate Price
                                    (until 6 May 2016) 

Adult                           £23                                                      £27

Child                           £10                                                      £13

Family (2 adults
& 3 children)              £56                                                      £67

EDITORS NOTES

-        The Great Yorkshire Show is organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, a charity which supports farming and the agricultural industry.

-        This will be the 158th Great Yorkshire Show

-        Dates are Tuesday 12 – Thursday 14 July

-        The venue is The Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, North Yorkshire

-        It is England’s premier agricultural event

-        Tickets are available online – at greatyorkshireshow.co.uk or by calling the Ticket Hotline - 01423 541222 (Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm)

-        Parking is extensive and free

-        Dogs, other than assistance dogs, are not allowed on the showground. Be kind to your dog and leave it at home.

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