Bradley Stoke Student’s success in local sewing competition

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Bradley Stoke & Little Stoke Gifford Matters have been following the John Lewis Prom Dress design competition with articles in both our March and April issues.  We were delighted to be invited down by John Lewis to the 5pm Fashion Show at the Mall on Friday to watch the 10 finalists students unveil their designs on the catwalk.

Students in Years 10 to 13 from all local senior schools were invited to join in the fun and have been busy designing their creations by customising a basic pattern supplied by the department store.   John Lewis haberdashery Partners (staff) at the local Cribbs store then chose ten finalists from the designs submitted.   The finalists were Amelia Franklin (from Bradley Stoke but entered under Patchway), Ashley Porton, Danny Williams and Charis Willcox from Patchway Community School. Elisa Smith and Rhia Bebbington from St Bedes. Amelia Houghton from Marlwood. Chloe Marsh and Alice Higginson from Bradley Stoke Community School and Hannah Clark from Chipping Sodbury School.

The ten lucky students were then invited into John Lewis during the February half term where they were able to make their outfits live in store!   Nicola told us they had a great week.   They were joined by Great British Sewing Bee winner Stuart Hillard who was on hand to give friendly advice.   We met Stuart at Friday’s show as he came back down from Yorkshire especially to give the students his further support. “This is such a great initiative” Stuart told us “These 10 young people have shown brilliant promise with their designs and have really enjoyed actually making them a reality with the help of the John Lewis team”.

Hannah-clark-finishing-touches-webThe students were then treated to an afternoon of hair and makeover by Alan Bendry & Co and The Bare Mineral Co, ready to slip into their frocks and take to the catwalk!

After the main show, Celebrity stylist Mark Heyes was joined on the cat walk by John Lewis Operations Manager Hannah Grey who revealed four finalists, Chloe Marsh from Bradley Stoke Community School, Rhia Bebbington from St Bedes, Ashleigh Porton from Patchway Community School and Hannah Clark from Chipping Sodbury school.

Hannah said: “These students have been selected for their enthusiasm, commitment, attention to detail and over all attitudes to learning. They have all visibly grown in confidence and have been a pleasure to work with. ”  

The winner, Chloe Marsh was presented with a sewing machine. Hannah said of Chloe: “Her stitching and attention to detail are outstanding. She gave up a skiing holiday to make her dress in February and it s just beautiful. ”  

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Delighted Chloe said: “I am really pleased. I never thought I would win. The whole experience has been wonderful and I cannot thank John Lewis enough. I will really enjoy using my sewing machine. ”  

Finishing touches – photos show above Hannah Clark, far left Alice Higginson BSCS, Alan Bendry putting final touches to Danny’s model Sarah’s hair, Chloe Marsh

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