The Future in Fashion programme aims to shine a light on local talent and promote careers in the sector
Seguntuyi Onakoya at a runway show at Ferens Art Gallery.(Image: HOUSEOFTUYI)
A packed line-up of events is set to take place for Hull & East Yorkshire Fashion Week – with creatives, students and businesses urged to get involved. The week long ‘Future in Fashion’ programme will take place in early June, in venues across Hull.
It is led by HOUSEOFTUYI – a brand that is the brainchild of 28 year-old Seguntuyi Onakoya, who came to Hull from Nigeria four years ago. And it comes 10 years after the last Fashion Week in the city, with the intention of establishing an annual event.
Future in Fashion will launch with Hull Trade Fair on Saturday, May 30 at Trinity Market. The fair will showcase a range of creative entrepreneurs including everyone from wig makers to fashion designers, and work from students of East Riding College. There will also be live demonstrations, networking opportunities, food and drink and live music.
A private ‘Vision Reveal’ preview night will follow at Allenby Commercial’s Monocle development on Wednesday, June 3. That will bring together sponsors, educators, investors and media for a look at the long term vision for Fashion Week and will feature a mini-runway preview with designs from HOUSEOFTUYI.
The first full day of the programme, called Hair & Beauty Walk, focuses on the region’s hair and beauty sector and takes place at Jubilee Church on Thursday, June 4. Organisers hope to promote local salons, barbers, make-up artists, skincare brands, students and freelancers. Interactive beauty stations, educational talks and live demonstrations will be staged to promote careers and given students exposure.
The following day – Friday, June 5 – will see ‘Theatre of Dreams’ transform Queen Victoria Square into a live cultural stage, blending fashion with performance, music, dance and storytelling. It will bring together fashion designers, performing arts students and local theatre companies for performances and “theatrical runway moments”.
Collaborations with the University of Hull and East Riding College will see students present fashion-inspired performances that reflect the city’s culture, history and future.
Then the week will culminate with ‘The Big Stage’ on Saturday, June 6 with a grande finale runway show, hosted by the Federation of Sport and expected to draw 200 guests. East Riding College fashion students will get the chance to show their collections at the event which promises high production with red carpet arrivals and a post-show celebration.
Mr Onakoya, the founder and creative director of HOUSEOFTUYI – and the inspiration behind Hull & East Yorkshire Fashion Week – said: “It’s incredibly exciting to see everything coming together. Fashion Week is about more than fashion – it’s about people, opportunity and giving this region a platform it truly deserves.
“The level of collaboration, from students and educators to businesses and sponsors, shows what’s possible when Hull and East Yorkshire believes and invests in its creative future.”
Councillor Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture and leisure at Hull City Council, said: “Hull & East Yorkshire Fashion Week highlights the strength of our creative sector and the opportunities it creates for local people. By bringing together students, designers and businesses, the programme showcases Hull’s talent and collaborative spirit.
“Hull City Council is proud to support an event that places culture at the heart of skills development.”
University of Hull marketing students will support the promotion of Fashion Week as part of their course. The programme is also being supported by Future Humber, HullBID, Visit Hull and Hull City Council.