The Great Yorkshire Show model farmer competition winners get ready for the fashion catwalk

Published 15th May 2023, 10:00 BST

Updated 15th May 2023, 14:22 BST

The 12 new faces, all with links to farming and the countryside, were selected from more than 70 wannabe models applying from across the country to take part in the From Sheep to Chic fashion show, which will focus on luxury and designer clothes made using British wool.

The amateur models are now looking forward to wearing collections from several leading Yorkshire-based designers and retailers, joining a team of professional models at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show, which takes place July 11-14, with the fashion shows running each day at 12:30pm.

Winner Louisa Holstead, a keen rider and a member of Pontefract Young Farmers, said she had very much enjoyed the pre-show fashion shoot with photographer Kate Mallender. “It was great fun,” she said. ”It’s the first time I’ve done anything like this so I was a bit nervous but everyone was so friendly and it was good to meet all the other models.”

Three of the Great Yorkshire Show 2023 model competition winners wearing designs from British Wool partner brands, models l-r Sarah Turner, Mollie Spencer and Louisa Holstead. Picture by Kate Mallender.

Fellow newbie model Luke Johnson, who runs his own agricultural contracting business near Skipton, said. “I absolutely loved it. It was totally amazing. I do a bit of acting but have never modelled, so this was something very different. I now can’t wait for the real thing.”

Fashion show coordinator Bernadette Gledhill, who has staged the GYS catwalk for many years, said: “We were absolutely thrilled at the response to our call-out for models, with applicants from all over the country as well as more locally. They coped brilliantly, they were all keen to learn and worked well together. There will, of course, be further preparation sessions before we get to the event itself. I can’t wait to see them all in the live fashion shows.”

The new models’ introduction to the catwalk began with a session in hair and make-up with a team from the White Rose Hair & Beauty College in Harrogate, after which they were dressed and styled in clothes from a range of fashion brands, including from Keighley-based tailors Brook Taverner, which is sponsoring the shows.

There are also collections from British Wool brand partners, including Clapham-based Glencroft, designer knitwear from Skipton-based Joan Murray and a range from Thirsk-based Galijah.

Great Yorkshire Show 2023 model competition winner Maisie Townson wearing a design by Mary Benson. Picture by Kate Mallender.

This year’s Great Yorkshire Show also welcomes back Mary Benson, whose designs were first shown on the GYS catwalk when she was a student 15 years ago. She went on to work in London with Alexander McQueen, and then launched her own brand. Mary now lives in York.

Radio presenter Nick Hancock will host the Sheep to Chic fashion shows on the Sheep Shearing Stage, which is next to Brown Gate at the Great Yorkshire Showground

Tickets are on sale now available in advance only. The 2022 Great Yorkshire Show sold out a week before the event in July.

The Great Yorkshire Show runs from Tuesday, July 11, to Friday, July 14. Tickets cost £32 for adults, £13 for children and £80 for families at greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/ticket-information

Look out for more pictures of the winners in the Yorkshire Post Magazine. For the Yorkshire Lifestyle newsletter, click here.