Winners of an amateur fashion model competition had a sneak preview of the Great Yorkshire Show catwalk after visiting the showground.
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.
The Great Yorkshire Show runs from Tuesday, July 11 to Friday, July 14 and its highly acclaimed fashion shows are hugely popular.
Entitled “From Sheep to Chic”, the fashion show will be relocated to the sheep shearing stage at 12.30pm each day, as it focuses on the use of British wool.
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, fashion show co-ordinator, 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.”
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!”
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. 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 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.
Tickets are on sale now and will be in advance only, as visitor numbers are capped at 35,000 a day. They are £32 for adults, £13 for children and £80 for families. To book, see greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/ticket-information/.
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