Dress Me Beautiful: Leeds Fashion Show

Rebekah MurphyALL catwalks may seem to lead to the bright lights of London, but that’s not to say there's no design talent outside the fashion capital. Far from it in fact.

This year’s Leeds Fashion Show gave 34 emerging northern designers, who haven’t journeyed south, the chance to shine in front of fashion industry professionals, business owners and press at the Leeds City Museum last week.

Dress Me Beautiful couldn’t have been a more fitting name for the glamorous show, as an army of Amazonian models took to the catwalk.

Outfits ranged from everyday sport and military- inspired casuals from Leeds-based retailers such as Accent, and structured power dresses from designers such as Kendelle, Rebekah Murphy and VA Garments.

Klue By Kelly AnnKlue by Kelly Ann was another favourite; the layered fabrics and autumnal coloured long dresses wouldn’t look out of place on any red carpet.

For the more risqué dressers, Dancing Dolls by independent fashion designer, Paulinah N Eboh-Sampson is everything you’d expect to see in one of Rihanna’s music videos and more. The same can be said of the daring Lady M by Lady Movello creations and Grace Jones-esque tribal designs from Katie Newsam.

Dancing Dolls Last year’s success story, Bo Carter, was also back in action for 2011 with what she describes as ‘Victorian shapes with twist of punk’. Following last year’s Leeds Fashion Show, Bo showcased her collection at Virginia Fashion Week in the US. She has since won the Leeds Retail Award for local designer of the year 2011.

Speaking after last year’s event, the Polish native said: “It was my husband who sent me a link to Leeds Fashion Show and from the day I got accepted into the show there was no looking back. I can’t even think of doing anything else now but designing clothes. So blame to hubby and LFS team for making me so happy.”

Bo CarterFor more information on Leeds Fashion Show and how to get involved next year, please visit www.leedsfashionshow.co.uk.

Until then, see below for more pictures from this year’s event...

Gallery images below thanks to Rania Rustom Photography.