RGS Worcester pupils winners in Fashion Icon event

The competition was open to 13 to 18-year-olds and challenged pupils to explore the environmental impact of fashion, and inspire the design of a new and unique garment to be upcycled from a suit.

The 10 finalists in the competition were then given just a few weeks to make their vision become a reality and create their garment.

The two RGS pupils, Year Nine pupil Grace and Lower Sixth student Emily both reached the final, with a further RGS Lower Sixth student, Emily also receiving a Highly Commended award.

Finalists Grace and Emily attended the Fashion and Embroidery Show at the NEC last month, along with completed garments for final judging and to see them modelled on the catwalk in front of a live audience.

Accompanied by the school’s head of textiles, Jo Bishop, both girls presented their finished garments to the judges for inspection before the catwalk event.

The final designs were innovative and unique in their approach to upcycling suits into new garments and all received much appreciative applause from the audience as they made their way down the catwalk.

Emily and Grace on the catwalk

Grace chose to wear her creation on the catwalk herself and the girls were also interviewed, explaining the inspiration and process behind their designs.

After a nail-biting wait and much deliberation by the three industry-expert judges, the final results were announced with Grace taking first place and Emily awarded second.

Head of Textiles at RGS, Jo Bishop, said: “I am delighted for both of the girls – finishing first and second is amazing and very well deserved! Both the designs were very well thought out and their execution making the garments, especially in such a short time frame, was exceptional. Very well done to Emily and Grace on such remarkable work.”

Grace said: “I am so pleased to have won and see all my hard work pay off. I really enjoyed making my garment. It has been challenging but has also been a great opportunity to learn lots of new design and textiles skills.”

Emily, said: “I really enjoyed upcycling the men’s shirt and suit to create a sophisticated dress design. It was a challenge to make the piece within three weeks, although so exciting to see my design modelled on the catwalk at the NEC. I am really proud of what I have achieved.”

The students’ efforts won a new sewing machine for the school and both Grace and Emily received a prize and certificate of achievement. Both winning garments will be proudly on display in the school’s textiles department.