Newcastle Fashion Talent Takes Over Grainger Market For Landmark Catwalk Show
The future of fashion is here! Newcastle’s fashion talent took over the city’s iconic Grainger Market on Saturday 26th September, as Newcastle College, Newcastle City Council, Eldon Square, Fenwick Newcastle and designers from across the city came together to celebrate the region’s distinctive fashion identity and showcase its next generation of creative talent.
Created by Newcastle City Council and the British Fashion Council as part of the nationwide Fashion Britain programme, the event transformed the iconic market into a live celebration of the North East’s style, culture and creative ambition – a first for this historic Grainger Market.
Ahead of the Future Heritage designs debuting on the stairs of the market, onlookers enjoyed a dramatic procession through Eldon Square as the models showcased the incredible designs created by the students.
At the heart of the event was then a catwalk show from Newcastle-based designer Lamin Gibba. Originally from Gambia, Lamin studied fashion at Newcastle College University Centre before launching their brand Jerry J and winning the prestigious Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx & Homesense Enterprise Award. His appearance created a powerful full-circle moment as his designs shared the runway with work from Newcastle College’s newest generation of fashion talent.
Among the designs making their debut were the three winning creations from Future Heritage, an initiative developed by Eldon Square in partnership with Newcastle College and Fenwick Newcastle to mark the centre’s 50th anniversary.
Ellie McInerney was revealed as the initiative’s first-place winner, with Rose Henson taking second place and Riley Richards placing third. The trio stood out among original work produced by 80 Newcastle College students, who were challenged to explore Newcastle’s past, present and future through fashion and surface textile design.
After months of research, experimentation and craftsmanship, the winning designs were brought to life on the runway in one of the city’s most recognisable settings. Presented alongside the work of an established Newcastle designer, the showcase demonstrated the opportunities that can be unlocked when education and industry come together.
Each winning creation presented a distinctive interpretation of Newcastle and the wider region. Inspirations ranged from Cragside and the pioneering legacy of Tyneside engineer Lord William Armstrong to the story of the Land Girls, expressed through historic references and personal details. A contemporary celebration of Newcastle completed the winning trio, drawing inspiration from the Metro, the city’s bridges and the places that connect its communities, with Eldon Square’s own 50-year history woven into the design.
Helen Cowie, Centre Director at Eldon Square, said: “Grainger Market became a brilliant showcase for Newcastle fashion, bringing together an established local designer and the next generation of creative talent in an incredible moment that was far more than a fashion show. It put Newcastle’s creativity firmly in the spotlight and gave emerging designers a genuine platform from which to take their next step.”
Pam Smith, Chief Executive at Newcastle City Council said: “As the regional capital and creative and commercial heart of the North East, Newcastle is incredibly proud to be part of the British Fashion Council’s nationwide Fashion Britain programme, recognising and celebrating the style, culture, creativity and ambition that exists in our city. We are particularly proud to see the newly transformed Grainger Market providing the backdrop for an event of this scale, bringing people together and showcasing our creative talent, from established Newcastle designer Lamin Gibba to the next generation of talent from Newcastle College. Congratulations to Ellie McInerney, Rose Henson and Riley Richards on their fantastic Future Heritage designs. When we began planning the market’s future, we had a clear vision to celebrate its heritage while creating new opportunities, experiences and audiences, and seeing it used in this way is a huge step towards realising that vision.”
Natalie Potter, Network Director at British Fashion Council, said: “Fashion Britain was created to celebrate the creativity and cultural identity that exists across the UK, and this weekend Newcastle delivered a truly incredible example of that ambition in action.
Seeing Future Heritage - Eldon Square’s partnership with Newcastle College and Fenwick Newcastle - share the runway with Lamin Gibba’s captivating designs was a fantastic demonstration of what can happen when education, retail and civic partners come together around local talent. The showcase gave the city’s emerging designers a meaningful platform, while placing Newcastle’s distinctive fashion identity firmly in the national conversation.”
Jon Ridley, Principal of Newcastle College, said: “Newcastle College is developing the creative talent our region needs, and this event shows this creative excellence in practice. Working with the British Fashion Council, Newcastle City Council, Eldon Square, Fenwick and some of the city’s leading creatives, our students are at the centre of Newcastle’s fashion industry. I loved seeing their work take to the catwalk at Grainger Market a fitting place to celebrate the future and the heritage of Newcastle."
Visit eldonsquare.co.uk to discover more about Future Heritage and https://eldonsquare.co.uk/bfc-fashion-britain-event-line-up/ to discover more about Fashion Britain.
