Leading young designers strike a pose at the Great Yorkshire Show

It is one of England’s premier agricultural shows. But as well as showcasing the best in farming, the Great Yorkshire Show is fast gaining a reputation for fashion, with regional and national designers queuing up to launch their latest collections on the catwalk at the annual countryside extravaganza.

And this year is no exception, with some of the biggest names on the high street as well as a select number of Yorkshire’s up-and-coming young designers showcasing their talents at the 155th show this month.

The show organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, expects more than 130,000 visitors to the countryside extravaganza which runs from Tuesday, July 9th to Thursday, July 11th at the 250-acre showground on the edge of Harrogate.

Yorkshire-based Pure Collection, the contemporary womenswear brand that combines classic chic with understated luxury, has chosen the Great Yorkshire Show to launch its exciting new autumn/winter collection. Pure Collection keeps the finest cashmere at its core and combines beautiful wardrobe essentials with key statement pieces.

Leeds-born designer Mary Benson, who has worked alongside Alexander McQueen and Richard Nicoll, is also excited to be launching her new autumn/winter collection inspired by Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. It features graphic rose prints, bold colours and Russian princess-style faux fur accessories. ‘I’m so excited about being chosen to launch my new collection at the Great Yorkshire Show – it’s a really pretty, natural, floral collection with Yorkshire roses, so I thought it would be great for the event,’ said Mary, 23, who was discovered on television’s Mary Queen of Shops and now has her own design studio in London. ‘I’ve been in the audience at the fashion show before so know what a great event it is and how many people come along,’ she added.

Up-and-coming designers to watch out for on the catwalk include two talented students from Harrogate College – Demelsa Haughton and Kushvant Jutla.

Mum-of-three Demelsa’s Oddity collection of three gowns, inspired by Art Nouveau patterns, is handmade and hand embellished with appliquéd suede and feathers. She is working on her applied creative design collection to complete her degree and hopes to start her own business after she has graduated.

Harrogate College graduate Kushvant’s Seven Deadly Sins collection is also expected to impress the crowds at the Fashion Pavilion. Kushvant, originally from Leeds, graduated with a first class honours degree in applied creative design, specialising in fashion, and is working in London with couture dance wear company Chrisanne.

Two students from Northumbria University are also hitting the catwalk for the first time. Barnsley-born Jack Wainwright’s exciting knitwear collection called Smalltown Boy, is inspired by the 1970s hit film Kes while Rosie Jane’s Tour de Knit gives a bright and fun take on cycle clothing.

Yorkshire-based family business Umpie Bags is also invited onto the Fashion Pavilion catwalk for the first time to showcase a colourful range of bags and ponchos. The company was set up by sisters Ruth and Joanna Umpleby and their cousin Alison Booth, all from Northallerton, who now employ a small number of staff and create a wide selection of Yorkshire bags, from totes to shoppers and overnight bags to large weekenders.

Also making its debut at the Great Yorkshire Show is W Hamond, the original Whitby Jet shop, which is launching a rural-inspired Great Yorkshire Show jewellery collection featuring Yorkshire rose cufflinks and silver tractor, rosettes and rose charms.

Keighley-based Brook Taverner returns to the show with their range of high-quality menswear featuring wool from sheep reared in the Yorkshire Wolds, and high-street store Hobbs is making a welcome return to the catwalk, alongside another high-street favourite Joules.

The Fashion Pavilion is sponsored by the Skipton Building Society. There are four shows daily, which are compered by Claire Montgomery and Adam Tomlinson. The show is produced by Morton Gledhill – The Fashion Team, hair and make-up is courtesy of Bradford College. The photographs were taken in the house and grounds of Goldsborough Hall, Knaresborough.

Tickets for the Great Yorkshire Show are available either online at www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk or by calling 01423 541222.