Future fashion: The ones to watch

This year's Yorkshire fashion graduates will soon be influencing what we see and buy on the High Street. Stephanie Smith picks out some names to look out for.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Aug 2017, 14:52 BST
Updated 11th Sep 2017, 13:02 BST
Anna Twyford, 21, is from Cumbria. She studied BA Fashion Design at Leeds College of Art and last year was selected to be part of the Northern Youth Fashion Show in York, attended by Anna Wintour. She has secured a Visual Merchandising and Styling position with Marks and Spencer, and is transferring to the design team in London. She says: Growing up in an artistic household (my dad is a professional land/cityscape painter) I have always been immersed in design. My nan is an inspiration to me daily - at the fabulous age of 83 she is still sewing away following a successful career as a dressmaker. She taught me my foundations and skills such as zero-waste pattern cutting which is largely ignored in industry nowadays. I am also an absolute colour enthusiast and my heart throbs at the sight of a Matisse, Degas or Monet. I intend my designs to be obtainable but embody a sense of eminence, finesse, contemporary and cool."Anna Twyford, 21, is from Cumbria. She studied BA Fashion Design at Leeds College of Art and last year was selected to be part of the Northern Youth Fashion Show in York, attended by Anna Wintour. She has secured a Visual Merchandising and Styling position with Marks and Spencer, and is transferring to the design team in London. She says: Growing up in an artistic household (my dad is a professional land/cityscape painter) I have always been immersed in design. My nan is an inspiration to me daily - at the fabulous age of 83 she is still sewing away following a successful career as a dressmaker. She taught me my foundations and skills such as zero-waste pattern cutting which is largely ignored in industry nowadays. I am also an absolute colour enthusiast and my heart throbs at the sight of a Matisse, Degas or Monet. I intend my designs to be obtainable but embody a sense of eminence, finesse, contemporary and cool."
Anna Twyford, 21, is from Cumbria. She studied BA Fashion Design at Leeds College of Art and last year was selected to be part of the Northern Youth Fashion Show in York, attended by Anna Wintour. She has secured a Visual Merchandising and Styling position with Marks and Spencer, and is transferring to the design team in London. She says: Growing up in an artistic household (my dad is a professional land/cityscape painter) I have always been immersed in design. My nan is an inspiration to me daily - at the fabulous age of 83 she is still sewing away following a successful career as a dressmaker. She taught me my foundations and skills such as zero-waste pattern cutting which is largely ignored in industry nowadays. I am also an absolute colour enthusiast and my heart throbs at the sight of a Matisse, Degas or Monet. I intend my designs to be obtainable but embody a sense of eminence, finesse, contemporary and cool."

This summer, young fashion designers from across Yorkshire graduated from university, ready to take their next step. Their final catwalk shows were attended by fashion industry professionals and press, ever looking for “the next big thing”.

They were eagerly watched also by their tutors, family and friends, those who have looked on and supported them as they have developed their skills, ideas and personalities, witnessing the self-doubt, the exasperation, the creative highs and lows and the small and great triumphs of a loved one who has chosen to pursue a career in fashion design.

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It’s not all about becoming the next Christopher Bailey, Stella McCartney or Vivienne Westwood, although some may well do. Some of these young designers intend to launch their own labels, some want to pursue their creative dreams in Europe, the US or Japan, while others have already found creative roles within the UK’s leading High Street fashion retailers. Thanks to Yorkshire’s manufacturing heritage and excellent universities and colleges, we produce some of the UK’s and indeed the world’s most talented and creative fashion designers.

Here we showcase the work of just a few of the ones to watch.

Related topics:YorkshireJapanEurope