A YOUNG fashion designer will display her wares on the national stage for the second year running as her work shifts up a gear.
Northallerton College student Ruth Chapman has secured a place in the final ten for the second consecutive year at the prestigious Clothes Show Live.
Last year her clock bag captured the attention of judges at the Birmingham extravaganza.
This time it will be a 1960s-style shift dress, digitally printed with posters from previous Clothes Show events and finished with glow in the dark thread and a PVC hem, that will fight for honours later this month.
“It’s the 25th anniversary of the show so I embellished the knee length shift dress with posters from previous events, metallic thread and PVC,” said the 17-year-old, of Northallerton, who is studying A Level design technology and textiles.
Head of textiles Linda Breckon said: “PVC is very on-trend but extremely difficult to work with.
“To make the final two years running is astounding when you consider the thousands of entries which are submitted, many of who are graduates.
“Ruth shows real flair in her designs and I am sure will do very well as she pursues her dream of becoming a fashion designer.”
If she wins the competition she will collect £1,000 for the department and £1,000 for herself, as well as a week’s work experience with a top British designer.
“I also hope to secure a placement with a fashion house,” she said. “I love Chanel but would happily work for any and one day would love to have my own label.”
