Newcastle fashion talent takes to catwalk at Grainger Market

The show took over Newcastle’s Grainger Market on Saturday, September 26, bringing together Newcastle College, Newcastle City Council, Eldon Square, Fenwick Newcastle and designers from across the city.

Newcastle City Council and the British Fashion Council organised the show through the nationwide Fashion Britain programme to champion the region’s emerging designers and style.

Models bring Future Heritage designs to the runway (Image: Supplied)

Helen Cowie, centre director at Eldon Square, said: "Grainger Market became a brilliant showcase for Newcastle fashion, bringing together an established local designer and the next generation of creative talent in an incredible moment that was far more than a fashion show.

"It put Newcastle’s creativity firmly in the spotlight and gave emerging designers a genuine platform from which to take their next step."

Models processed through Eldon Square before the show reached the market’s stairs.

Newcastle's rising fashion stars step into the spotlight (Image: Supplied)

Newcastle designer Lamin Gibba headlined the show after studying fashion at Newcastle College University Centre and launching streetwear brand Jerry J.

Mr Gibba has won national recognition, including the Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx & Homesense Enterprise Award.

Pam Smith, chief executive at Newcastle City Council, said: "As the regional capital and creative and commercial heart of the North East, Newcastle is incredibly proud to be part of the British Fashion Council’s nationwide Fashion Britain programme, recognising and celebrating the style, culture, creativity and ambition that exists in our city.

Grainger Market transformed for a city fashion showcase (Image: Supplied)

"We are particularly proud to see the newly transformed Grainger Market providing the backdrop for an event of this scale, bringing people together and showcasing our creative talent, from established Newcastle designer Lamin Gibba to the next generation of talent from Newcastle College.

"Congratulations to Ellie McInerney, Rose Henson and Riley Richards on their fantastic Future Heritage designs.

"When we began planning the market’s future, we had a clear vision to celebrate its heritage while creating new opportunities, experiences and audiences, and seeing it used in this way is a huge step towards realising that vision."

Grainger Market transformed for a city fashion showcase (Image: Supplied)

The show also unveiled the three winning looks from Future Heritage, a project run by Eldon Square, Newcastle College and Fenwick Newcastle.

The initiative asked 80 students to explore Newcastle’s past, present and future through fashion and surface textile design.

Ellie McInerney took first place, followed by Rose Henson and Riley Richards.

Fashion show (Image: Supplied)

Natalie Potter, network director at the British Fashion Council, said: "Fashion Britain was created to celebrate the creativity and cultural identity that exists across the UK, and this weekend Newcastle delivered a truly incredible example of that ambition in action.

"Seeing Future Heritage—Eldon Square’s partnership with Newcastle College and Fenwick Newcastle—share the runway with Lamin Gibba’s captivating designs was a fantastic demonstration of what can happen when education, retail and civic partners come together around local talent.

Emerging designers make their mark on the Newcastle runway (Image: Supplied)

"The showcase gave the city’s emerging designers a meaningful platform, while placing Newcastle’s distinctive fashion identity firmly in the national conversation."

Jon Ridley, principal of Newcastle College, said: "Newcastle College is developing the creative talent our region needs, and this event shows this creative excellence in practice.

"I loved seeing their work take to the catwalk at Grainger Market—a fitting place to celebrate the future and the heritage of Newcastle."

Enjoying the show (Image: Supplied)

Fashion meets heritage in a celebration of local talent (Image: Supplied)