University of Northampton’s (UK) Fashion Unit staged its final year fashion show with collections from final year fashion students on the catwalk at the iconic Silverstone race track in Northampton. Students used a mixture of leather and traditional materials sourced locally with designs on the catwalk.
Students at the University of Northampton are set new trends with the use of traditional materials like leather in haute couture designs, with models from various parts of the world ranging from South Sudan, Romania, South Korea exhibiting the collections of students. The fashion show was the first ever to be staged at Silverstone race track symbolised a "strengthening relationship between the Formula One track and the University".
Commenting on the event, Professor Nick Petford (Vice Chancellor, University of Northampton) said, "This is a University which is globally renowned in subject specialisms such as Leather Technology and Fashion. The fashion show represents the highlight of the academic year for the Fashion and Textiles Department which turns out students who go on to work at leading fashion houses when they graduate."

Highlights of the show included, Hajer Al Belochi, the first female student from Oman ever to complete a fashion degree at a UK university impressed the audience, with other names like Anna Jacklin who attracted sponsorship from Offset Warehouse. Jessica Kidby, a designer of hand-made leather suitcases evoking a nostalgia for the British Coast line using old techniques such as hand-tooling and moulding leather, Jason George a designer of a high-end menswear collection which used luxury fabrics and leather. Sophie Everson, a designer of functional womenswear incorporating pockets for Ipad, Kindle and Oystercard. Emily Thomas, who collaborated with Dr. Martens tannery and created her own leather used for DM shoes. Rosalind Northen use of leather also impressed the audience with designs of contemporary, high end quality leather women’s wear collection.