Sneak peek

YORKSHIRE designer James Steward has a star-studded client list. He gives Stephanie Smith an exclusive preview at Kirkstall Abbey of his new collection.

Coronation Street’s Katherine Kelly made the best-dressed lists at the recent Bafta Television Awards wearing one of the Leeds-based designer’s striking creations, an elegant flowing maxi dress in a gorgeous blue pure silk.

The collaboration began when James designed the wedding dress Katherine wore two years ago for her Coronation Street wedding to Steve (he also designed Mollie’s wedding dress).

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“She fell in love with my designs,” said James. Now he is part of “Team Kelly” and makes dresses especially for her.

“She’s the perfect mannequin for me,” he says. “She’s in the media all the time, especially now, because she is leaving Coronation Street. She looks fab and she’s such a nice person, which makes it all much easier.”

James, 35, twice winner of Yorkshire Brides Couture Designer of the Year, trained at Hull College and at the Kent Institute before moving to Rome in 1998 for an apprenticeship with Gattinoni Couture, whose client list has included Audrey Hepburn, Eva Peron and the Pope.

On his return to Leeds, he set up independent boutique Aqua Couture with his friend Julie Lingard and his work soon attracted clients including Kylie Minogue and Tara Palmer Tomkinson.

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Last November he showed at Vancouver Fashion Week and has just returned from Barcelona helping to promote Leeds as a fashion destination.

Here he gives us an exclusive sneak preview of his autumn/winter collection.

“It was initially inspired by Vancouver and its native American heritage, with totem poles and colourful stripes.”