Students and graduates showcase designs at Northern Fashion Week

Clothes and accessories from the six designers’ collections will grace catwalks and be up for awards at Northern Fashion Week.

The University of Chester Fashion and Design students and graduates have been chosen to present their work across a range of categories, including Sustainable Catwalk, Inclusivity and British Emerging Designer.

Taking place between Thursday (July 7) and Saturday (July 9), the event at Manchester Central champions new and established fashion talent and industry. The Week features catwalk shows, fashion presentations, speaker sessions, networking opportunities and more.

The six designers and the show categories are:

• Lili Sipeki - Sustainable Catwalk;
• Emma Atherton (EROSA brand) - Northern Innovation and Inclusivity categories;
• Georgia Clutton Baxter - Inclusivity category;
• Macy Pace - Northern Fashion Womenswear Catwalk;
• John Dobie - Northern Fashion Menswear Catwalk and British Emerging Designer - Menswear;
• Alexandra Novacki - British Emerging Designer - Womenswear.

BA Fashion Design graduate, Georgia Clutton Baxter said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be featured in Northern Fashion Week 2022, and I feel especially honoured to be selected in the Inclusivity category.

“The collection I’m showing is called ‘Dyslexia and all its Positivities’ - it’s about embracing your dyslexia and learning that dyslexia is a positive thing rather than a negative. The collection is fun, colourful and full of hidden stories.

“I can’t wait to see my clothes on the catwalk alongside work by some great designers, experience the show and meet others.”

Alexandra Novacki, a second year BA Fashion Design student, described how: “It's an honour to be selected for British Emerging Designer and I'm looking forward to an exciting show ahead with other talented designers from around the country.

“It's been great fun working behind the scenes to pull together these pieces and to create some powerful looks that aim to spark conversation.”

Alexandra is also under the umbrella of Crichton Bespoke tailoring house, and actress Isabelle Bonfrer recently wore one of her designs at the Cannes Film Festival.

Graduate Emma Atherton, who runs EROSA fashion studios and studied MA Design at the University, added: “I am so excited to be part of Northern Fashion Week, I think it is so important to showcase and celebrate northern talent.

“I have the privilege of showing both for Innovation and Inclusivity. Both of these categories mean so much to me as EROSA is built upon size-inclusivity and showcasing body diversity through my own unique colour-coded sizing system. I have been talking about inclusivity in fashion for a while now so it feels incredible that people are wanting to start that conversation with me.

“My latest collection ‘Monachopsis’ will launch at Northern Fashion Week and marks a relaunch of EROSA. Monachopsis is the feeling of being out of place and is inspired by recent times in cities and the country; beginning with the restriction of the city architecture and moving into a freer lighter space influenced by nature.

“Every piece has the ability to adapt to up to five UK dress sizes and all are made from completely natural biodegradable fibre.”

After being chosen from another competitive field, Emma is also currently part of the Modern Artisan Project, which focuses on responsible design and sustainable luxury textile craftsmanship. Together, YOOX NET-A-PORTER and The Prince’s Foundation are supporting Emma and seven other trainee artisans through the end-to-end process of designing, handcrafting and bringing to market on a global scale, a luxury collection with sustainability at its heart. 

Delphine Wilson, Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Fashion Design at the University said: “I am extremely proud of all of our incredibly talented Fashion and Design students and graduates showcasing their work at Northern Fashion Week.

“Their selection recognises how they are among the most exciting emerging and established designers and brands in the fashion industry.”

For more information about Northern Fashion Week, please visit: https://www.northernfashionweek.co.uk.

ENDS

The top image shows designs by: 

• Top left - Georgia Clutton Baxter
• Top middle - Lili Sipeki
• Top right - Emma Atherton (Erosa)
• Bottom left - John Dobie
• Bottom middle - Alexandra Novacki
• Bottom right - Macy Pace

The image includes photos by Sarah Sadler (top left) and Carolina Gorman (bottom left and right).