A BUDDING fashion designer from Worcestershire has been invited to represent the UK in an international competition.

Holly Allen, of Ombersley, near Worcester, was invited to represent the nation in 2012 in the Jeansation Awards in Monte Carlo, Monaco, by an international panel of judges when she competed for another fashion award.

The 17-year-old was initially invited to compete at the Fashion Design and Craft awards in London on October 29.

The annual awards give budding fashion designers the opportunity to showcase their work.

She said: “It was wonderful because I’ve never really competed in anything like that before.

“I’m nervous but I’m excited.”

Miss Allen, a student at King Edward Sixth Form College, Stourbridge, entered the young designer of the year category at the awards, which are aimed at people aged between 16 and 21.

Despite there originally being 16 people entered into the group, on the day only two turned up with their garments, so they were combined with a small avant-garde group for 21 to 25-year-olds, who were all graduating or had graduated from college courses.

Miss Allen designed an outfit of a jacket and leggings inspired by designer Alexander McQueen, who committed suicide last year, and a parasol based on French designer Jean Paul Gaultier.

Each entrant had a five-minute interview with the panel of five judges.

Despite losing out on the young designer title to one of the older designers, Miss Allen was awarded the Jeansation award by judge Alexandra Icart, chief executive of Jeansation.

She will showcase a denim-based avant-garde collection at the Jeansation final in Monte Carlo in the principality of Monaco this time next year.

“I think I was chosen by Mme Icart based on the creative techniques used in my pieces as well as my potential,” said Miss Allen.