L-R: Carli Wheatcroft, Leny Gibson, Frankie Goulden, Rebecca Mason. The mannequin on the far right is a design by fellow student Kelly Ann Garforth.

Final year students from De Montfort University (DMU) agreed to help a catwalk show at Walkers Stadium on earlier this week on June 8th in a bid to boost independent business in Leicester.

Six students from DMU’s unique intimate apparel degree courses have agreed to lend their final collections – designed and created as part of their study – for the fashion show.

The event was being run by Katherine Ellis, who runs Cookie West lingerie and swimwear shop in the city’s Loseby Lane, who herself graduated DMU’s Contour Fashion degree in 2004.

Katherine said: “It’s been really tough for small businesses recently and this is great opportunity to raise profile of independent retailers and celebrate our success.”

“At the show we’ll have handmade jewellery by Clare Mason, children’s wear from Clafoutis, menswear from Casino, boyswear from Well Gosh and women’s wear from Polly’s, so we represent a really wide spectrum of styles and price.”

Carli Wheatcroft who graduates DMU’s Contour Fashion degree next monthshowed her Alice in Wonderland collection.

Four fellow students on the same degree who also lended their collections for the show are:

• Rebecca Mason with her Luminosity garments;
• Frankie Goulden whose work has a Rolls Royce theme;
• Leanne Gibson whose collection is called Saville Row;
• Rachel Sanchez and her collection titled Brit Trend.

Kelly Ann Garforth, is graduating DMU’s sister degree course, Fashion and Contour Design, and showed her collection called Egyptians.

We hope to have some photos of the event on TLP asap!