Glittering fashion awards to support hospice youngsters

A glittering event celebrating emerging fashion talent across the East Midlands is set to raise money for youngsters with life-limiting conditions.

Fashanne is a showcase for graduate designers from the across the region to strut their stuff in front of a distinguished panel of judges and compete for the coveted East Midlands Student Fashion Awards, with proceeds from the event supporting Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People.

This month’s forthcoming Fashanne event in Nottingham features TV presenter and fashion guru Patrick Grant on the panel, with double gold Paralympian Richard Whitehead and BBC national weather presenter Lucy Martin as ‘guest models’ taking to the catwalk, adding a touch of diversity.

The prestigious fashion awards show, now in its third year, was founded by BBC TV presenter Anne Davies and has been growing in profile year-on-year. 

At the event graduate designers from five universities will bring their inspirational designs to the catwalk for the first time and inject essential creative energy into the fashion industry, while seeking their next step on the ladder. Previous winners have been snapped up as new designers by All Saints and Hugo Boss.

Anne commented: “These Awards are a reflection of the creativity and manufacturing skill of the area’s past, celebrating and investing in an even greater future. They are inclusive in every way and offer opportunities to young people starting out in life in this exciting industry!”

A Patron of Rainbows children’s hospice, Anne will co-host the evening with Patrick. She added: “For 2018, the Awards show aims to lead the way in terms of fashion talent and diversity on the catwalk. And we will be raising money on the evening to benefit Rainbow’s children’s hospice, a charity close to my heart.”

Participating universities include Nottingham Trent, Leicester’s De Montfort University, University of Northampton, Derby University and Loughborough University.  

Andrew Ball, Rainbows Director of Supporter Relations, said: “We are very grateful to Anne, who has been a passionate supporter of Rainbows for many years – and we are thrilled that the glittering awards evening she hosts not only recognises emerging local fashion talent, but will also help youngsters with life-limiting conditions across the East Midlands.”

Fashanne takes place at St Mary’s Church, in Nottingham’s Creative Quarter on Thursday, 21 June, beginning with a drinks reception at 6.30pm and exhibition, with the catwalk action set to start at 8pm. Tickets are available NOW at www.fashanne.com/tickets/