A GLOBETROTTING fashion designer is heading down the runway on a trans-Atlantic voyage for a special school reunion.
Ex- King’s Academy student Charlotte Robinson will be flying in from New York to re-unite with hundreds of former students and teachers at the Coulby Newham school’s ten year anniversary celebration.
Charlotte, 19, who attended the Academy from 2005 to 2012 before taking a foundation degree in fashion at the London Metropolitan University, is now interning with contemporary New York fashion label Dylan & Rose at their head office on West 36th Street.
This week she is working back stage with the PR and marketing team for New York Fashion Week.
“New York is absolutely incredible,” said Charlotte, of Coulby Newham.
“It’s safe to say I am having the time of my life. I have learned so much about the industry, it’s just a dream come true. The best part of all is that I’ve been asked to come back and intern here again in the summer, so this year I will get to see New York in the snow and the sun.”
As well as studying for her degree and interning at Dylan & Rose, Charlotte has also set up her own on-line clothing company Hoes & Bows, with her partner.
“Setting up our own label was very ambitions and there were a few times that we felt like giving up after having created so much extra work for ourselves,” said Charlotte.
“We are currently concentrating on women’s wear but are starting to work on prints for t-shirts so we can get some menswear garments involved too and have an even broader customer range.
“The best part of all is when we get an order through from places like Glasgow and Kent – neither of us have any contacts there, so it means somebody actually wants to wear our clothes.
“I feel so lucky to be doing something I absolutely love day in day out and getting to meet new people who are incredibly talented and eager to encourage and support me in my career.”
The King’s Academy ten year reunion will give all former pupils and teachers the opportunity to catch up with old colleagues, renew friendships and find out what everyone has been doing since they left.
“It will be great to see everyone and find out what they have been up to,” added Charlotte.
“I have some great memories of The King’s and a lot of the teachers at the academy have been a huge influence in my life from Mrs Brownless, who helped me realise my passion for textiles, to Mrs Walker, a great listener throughout my seven years at the academy and who helped me with my dyslexia with some of the best drama lessons ever.
“I am really looking forward to going back and seeing them all.”
The King’s Academy tenth anniversary reunion is on Saturday, April 26 2014 at 3pm. To register your place or for more information visit www.thekingsacademyreunion.org.uk