Member Article

Homegrown fashion designers in the spotlight at Great Yorkshire Show

Up-and-coming designers will be rubbing shoulders with the established elite when they present their collections on the catwalk at England’s agricultural and rural showcase, the Great Yorkshire Show.

More than 135,000 visitors are expected at the Great Yorkshire Show when it opens its gates in Harrogate from Tuesday 8 to Thursday 10 July 2014 for what will be the 156th show.

Many of those thousands of visitors will jostle for the highly-prized front row seats in the popular Skipton Building Society Fashion Pavilion, which plays host to four-times daily fashion shows during each of the three days.

Luxury lingerie and swimwear retailer Rigby and Peller, which opened its first north of England store in Harrogate earlier in the year, has given the event its Royal seal of approval.

Also making its Great Yorkshire Show debut will be internationally acclaimed countrywear specialist Barbour, which celebrates its 120th anniversary this year.

Having teamed up with Boroughbridge-based artist Julie Dodsworth, the company, renowned for defining the essence of true British style, will be unveiling its new autumn/winter collection to show visitors.

Great Yorkshire Show director Bill Cowling is delighted with the line-up for this year’s runway. He said: “Some of the most famous names in the fashion business began their careers locally, for example Christopher Bailey, creative director and CEO of Burberry and international designer Bruce Oldfield.”

“The fashion shows are always one of the highlights of the Great Yorkshire and apart, from being an important part of the event, they enable us to highlight the importance of the textile industry and its links within the region.”

“The catwalk shows enable visitors to see the full cycle of production, from the sheep in the competitive classes, to the sheep shearing and wool production competitions, to the final designs on the runway.”

Cleckheaton-based fashion wholesaler Alexia Designs, renowned for its stunning occasion-wear clothing, will be bringing a touch of glamour to the catwalk with its selection of dramatic prom dresses.

Keighley-based menswear brand Brook Taverner is back, showcasing its current collection as well as unveiling its new autumn/winter collection featuring Moons fabric woven in Yorkshire while high-street retailer Hobbs is also making a welcome return to the catwalk at the show.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .