Friday saw the final of the ‘Can-U-Cut-It’ competition that I helped judge back in June. The finalist’s garments from colleges across the UK, were modelled on the main stage at the Clothes Show event at Birmingham’s NEC.

The final winner as chosen by Tristan Webber (Clothes Show Live’s artistic director) and Hilary Alexander (fashion director of The Daily Telegraph) was Akari Fujimoto a student of the London College of Fashion, studying a Level 3 Diploma in Production Tailoring.

Akari Fujimoto being presented with her prize by Caryn Franklin and Brendan Courtney

Stunning image from the main stage fashion show

This week at the Living North Christmas Fair, I spotted this lady as she wandered past my stand at the show. She was very striking in her appearance, and wearing a gorgeous bolero-length mini trench coat. Its funny the contacts I’ve already made just chatting to people on the street about their clothes. It has become a really good ice breaker to start some really interesting and purposeful conversations. As it transpired Sarah Underwood, pictured above runs a company selling cashmere knitwear from Nepal, her company is called Himalayan Originals.

I find it fascinating to meet people who are not only passionate about similar things that I am, but when they actually go out and make a difference to their and others lives by starting up their own business. I plan to meet up with Sarah again soon to discuss possible future business collaborations.

I loved what she was wearing, because of the way she is weraing just two colours grey and black but the black top underneath the jacket is differently textured and striped, the skirt has an interesting little frill at the back hem and she has accessorised with some bright jewellery.

This week I’m exhibiting at the Living North Christmas Fair at Newcastle’s Gosforth Park Racecourse. The fair is really interesting because it brings together some of the more interesting and delightful companies based in the North and further-a-field. Businesses like Seaham Hall Hotel offering exclusive spa breaks, to garden designers, fine artists, and niche clothing businesses like Cameron-Addison, Penny Plain and Wealth of Nations.

Cameron-Addison Range

Cameron-Addison Range

This time of year is always manic for me, as you can probably tell from the previous few posts! Not only have I started sampling next winters range, but the busiest selling period for me is in full flow. I try to do alot of direct selling at this time of year, not only to get my name into the public domain, but also it gives me a chance to meet the customer face-to-face, and gives me the opportunity to get valuable feedback from them.

It takes alot of work preparing for these shows, and I just found out that I have a meeting in London the day before my next 3 day event in Newcastle. So the logistics of getting ready are going to be tight.

November is here and winter is definately upon us. As a knitwear designer I love this season because I see lots of fantastic knitted creations being worn on the streets of Newcastle, and I am invigorated by the versatility of chunky, cosy, sexy, knitted garments in the shops.

The cold weather I woke up to this morning also reminded me that it’s also only a month until the Clothes Show Live fashion event at the Birmingham NEC. I’m excited about this because each year I’m involved in judging a competition called “Can-U-Cut-It” for fashion students studying at further education establishments across the country. This year I hepled select students from the Manchester heat, who would be put forward to the final, which is held at the Clothes Show in December.

The students submissions to the competition this year were of an extreamly high standard, and we had a difficult job whittling them down. The final show on the Catwalk in December always reminds me of the high standard of design education we provide in the UK, and that there are some immensly talented emerging young designers out there.

For more information about Clothes Show Live click here 

For more images from the Manchester Can-U-Cut-It heat click here

I had so many little problems trying to get everything ready in time, but when the stand was all set up at the Gala Theatre in the centre of Durham City it looked better than I could have hoped for. I had lots of lovely comments about the collection, and the shows on Friday and Saturday night were spectacular.

I’m waiting to hear how much money was raised over the two nights, but it all goes towards helping start more new businesses in the region.