Leeds helps make charity fashion show attended by Anna Wintour a success

Talented designers from Leeds College of Art and Leeds Beckett University showcased their work at the sell-out Northern Youth Fashion Show in front of the ‘first lady of fashion’ and Guardian editor-in-chief Katharine Viner.

Around 1,000 people attended the event which raised money for refugee charities the Xavier Project and Refugee Action York and saw Anna give a talk and take part in a Q&A session led by Katharine.

The fundraiser was held at the University of York’s Central Hall and was organised by HARD Magazine, the university’s fashion publication.

Ellie Wintour, who is Anna Wintour’s niece and digital editor of HARD magazine, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the way the evening went, we’ve raised a substantial amount of money which will really make a difference to people’s lives.

“We can’t thank Anna, Katharine and everybody else who was involved in the show enough for helping us to make the event such a success.”

As well as showcasing clothes designed by students across the north, there was a silent auction and a raffle with prizes such as a Mulberry handbag, a Radley bag and a signed Roger Federer t-shirt and tennis racquet.

There were also live performances from Yorkshire folk singer Billie Marten plus Friendly Fires and Metronomy, who collaborated for the first time especially for the show.

The event was sponsored by organisations including train company Grand Central and Yorkshire Living Magazine. Hair brand Milkshake and makeup brands Makeup Forever and Bobbi Brown sponsored the event and provided the backstage styling team.