Member Article

Top designer seeks North East talent

Wannabe designers are being given the opportunity to win a once in a lifetime mentoring scheme with designer Wayne Hemingway as part of a North East fashion project launching this summer.

Wansbeck District Council’s Cultural Services department will kick start Experiments in Fashion with a four day fashion school residency at Woodhorn Museum, Archives and Country Park in Ashington, starting on 28 July.

As part of the project participants aged between 15 and 25 will compete for three places in a three month traineeship and mentoring scheme with Wayne’s London based design company, Hemingway Design.

Entrants will design a number of pieces of clothing, inspired by the architecture and landscape of Northumberland, before showcasing their creations in a catwalk show held on the final day.

Delivering workshops at the event are speakers from the London College of Fashion, along with tutors from Northumberland College and industry guests such as Newcastle couture designer Paul Shriek, who will offer their opinions and advice.

In addition, participants will have access to all the latest information about local and national design courses, career development possibilities and self-employment opportunities.

Juliana Mensah, Wansbeck’s arts development officer, said: “This is a unique and exciting opportunity for the young people in the region; they will be given access to world-class fashion expertise and knowledge.

“It is a fantastic coup for Wansbeck to have such big names in fashion and design comes to the area to invest in and develop the talented young people who live in the North East.”

For more information about Experiments in Fashion email j.mensah@wansbeck.gov.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .