Designing a Sustainable Future in Fashion: Winners in Fashion Icon Competition 

We are delighted to announce that not one, but two RGS pupils achieved 1st and 2nd position in the national, ‘Fashion Icon’ competition. 

The competition, organised by ICHF Events, was open to 13-18 year olds and challenged pupils to explore the environmental impact of fashion, and inspire the design of a new and unique garment to be upcycled from a suit. The ten finalists in the competition were then given just a few weeks to make their vision become a reality and create their garment. 

The two RGS pupils, Lower Sixth student, Emily Harper and Year Nine pupil, Grace Horrocks both reached the final in the competition, with a further RGS Lower Sixth student, Emily Weller, receiving a Highly Commended award. 

Finalists Emily and Grace attended the ‘Fashion and Embroidery Show’ held at the NEC last Friday, along with their completed garments for final judging and to see them modelled on the catwalk in front of a live audience.  

Finalist and Lower Sixth Textiles Scholar, Emily Harper, said: “I am so pleased to have been chosen as one of the finalists. I enjoyed the challenge of making my final piece and see it come to life, modelled on the catwalk at the NEC.”

Accompanied by Head of Textiles, Mrs Bishop, both girls presented their finished garments to the judges for inspection before the catwalk event. 

The final designs were innovative and unique in their approach to upcycling suits into new garments and all received much appreciative applause from the audience as they made their way down the catwalk. Finalist Grace chose to wear her creation on the catwalk herself and the girls were also interviewed, explaining the inspiration and process behind their designs. 

After a nail-biting wait and much deliberation by the three industry-expert judges, the final results were announced with Emily Harper awarded 2nd place and Grace Horrocks 1st place in the competition. 

Head of Textiles, Jo Bishop, said: “I am delighted for both of the girls – winning the competition in 1st and 2nd position is amazing and very well deserved! Both the designs were very well thought out and their execution making the garments, especially in such a short time frame, was exceptional. Very well done to Emily and Grace on such remarkable work.”

Year Nine Textiles Scholar, Grace Horrocks, said: “I am so pleased to have won and see all my hard work pay off. I really enjoyed making my garment. It has been challenging but has also been a great opportunity to learn lots of new design and textiles skills.” 

In achieving 1st place, RGS Worcester was awarded a brand new sewing machine for the School and both Grace and Emily received a prize and certificate of achievement. Both winning garments will be proudly on display in the Textiles Department at School for all to admire.