King Edward VI pupils create credit crunch fashion

Apr 9 2009 The Journal

COST-conscious students took to the catwalk for a special fashion show aimed at demonstrating how a stylish look can be created on an ultra-tight budget.

Dozens of GCSE students at King Edward VI School in Morpeth have been scouring local charity shops, cut-price clothing stores and bargain bins in a bid to turn rags into fashion riches.

Their challenge was to work to a budget of just £30 and design eye-catching outfits which look good on the streets, but don’t cost a fortune at a time when everyone is belt- tightening because of the recession.

They have adapted old and inexpensive items of clothing – and added their own accessories – to come up with low-cost designs based on various themes such as vintage, festival goers, the 60s and Paris Hilton. The 60 teenagers showed off their credit crunch creations to a 400-strong, champagne-sipping audience on the catwalk in a heated marquee in the town.

The frugal fashion show was the brainchild of bosses at Vauxhall car dealership Davidsons of Morpeth, which recently moved its showroom from the town centre to the Coopies Lane industrial estate.

The fashion exercise has been such a success that the students have used it to form part of their GCSE textiles qualification.