Under the SPOTLIGHT

The fashion catwalk returns to the Great Yorkshire Show this year - with a twist

Winners of an amateur fashion model competition had a sneak preview of the famous Great Yorkshire Show catwalk magic after visiting the showground recently. The 12 wannabe models had their first taste of what’s in store as they stepped out in style in garments set to feature on the catwalk in this year’s show.

Entitled “From Sheep to Chic”, the fashion show will be relocated to the sheep shearing stage, hosted by radio presenter Nick Hancock, as it focuses on the use of British wool. The show, every day at 12.30pm, will highlight the link between the sheep we see in the fields and the creation of stylish wool garments.

Selected from more than 70 applicants, the 12 will join the professionals at the event modelling top brands, including collections from several Yorkshire-based designers. A key factor in the selection was a link with farming and the countryside.

Alongside two professional models, the new recruits had an introduction to the catwalk beginning with a session in hair and make up, followed by stepping out in garments from a range of British designers and then a photo shoot.

Bernadette Gledhill, the fashion show coordinator, says: “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.”

For Luke Johnson, who runs his own agricultural contracting business near

Skipton, it was a fantastic experience. “I absolutely loved it. It was totally amazing,” he enthuses. “I do a bit of acting, but have never modelled, so this was something very di erent. I now can’t wait for the real thing!” Luke is no stranger to the Great Yorkshire Show, having visited on many occasions with his family, including with his grandfather.

Similarly, Louisa Holstead said how much she had enjoyed the day. “It was great fun, I really enjoyed it,” she says. “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.” A member of Pontefract Young Farmers, Louisa is a keen rider and has attended the Great Yorkshire Show for as long as she can remember.

The fashion shows will feature garments from a range of suppliers including tailors Brook Taverner who are kindly sponsoring the shows. There are also collections provided by British Wool brand partners, designer knitwear from Skipton-based Joan Murray and garments from Thirsk-based Galijah. The show also welcomes back Mary Benson, who first became involved in the Great Yorkshire Show as a student 15 years ago and went on to work in London with British fashion designer and couturier Alexander McQueen, and then launched her own brand. Mary now lives in York.

Charles Mills, Show Director, adds: “We are delighted to champion the importance of wool and the vital role that British sheep farmers play in the production of this versatile natural product. The title of our fashion show, “From Sheep to Chic”, sums this up precisely and the new venue for the show could not be more appropriate. For the first time they will be held on the stage in the sheep shearing area, next to more than 2,000 sheep, which will be shown in the competitive classes.

“The link is clear: without sheep the wool industry would be a shadow of what it is today, without sheep farmers there would be a huge gap in British agriculture and our iconic countryside would be a pale imitation of the past.”