Springwood High School Fashion Show featured original designs from students across Years 7 to 13, while around 170 students took part on and off the catwalk, and some 300 audience members attended, including the Mayor of King’s Lynn.

Emma Markwell is Fashion and Textiles Lead at our school, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, and organised the Show.

“Over the past 11 years, I have seen the show grow significantly, becoming larger, more ambitious, and more expressive each year,” she said. “While previous shows have focused on flamboyance and spectacle, this year I wanted to create something more sophisticated and closer to the atmosphere of a university-level fashion show.

“My aim was to elevate the show, giving students the opportunity to experience the professionalism and creativity of the wider fashion industry.”

Designers participating in the evening included members of the Year 8 Fashion Club, as well as GCSE students and sixth formers. Alumni also returned to help at the show, including Lily-Mai Gosling, and Grace Steward, who runs her own bridal hair company.

Among the many highlights were Ruby Neal’s flora-and-fauna-themed upcycled evening dress, and fellow Year 8 student Amaya Twell’s neon, health-and-safety-inspired corset and skirt.

Other stars of the show included Poppy Golding in Year 12, who explored the use of batik; Freya Samalburo in Year 13, who created a bubble-textured dress; and Poppy Patnell, also Year 13, with her pink-and-green, Frankenstein-inspired ‘Heart Dress’. Both leavers will be going on to study fashion in September, with Freya heading to Nottingham Trent and Poppy to the Norwich School of Arts.

Staff also took to the runway, modelling eighties-style outfits sourced from charity shops.

Miss Markwell continued: “Many of these students begin with little or no practical experience, making it incredibly rewarding to see their confidence, creativity, and technical skills develop.

“Seeing their ideas evolve from initial concepts into finished creations, through their hard work and dedication in lessons, is a truly rewarding part of my role.”

The Fashion Show was supported by the Fent Shop, who offered student discounts, donated fabric, and gave over their shop window to our students’ creations, while Tesco sponsored the event, and funds were also raised by Springwood PTFA.

Students Rachel-Lee September and Hemi Grimsby were MCs on the night, and were joined by Year 8 photographer Daniel Wagg, Sound and Lighting Technician Matt Austin with his Year 7 assistant Josh Downey, and teacher and professional make-up artist Phoebe Auker, who helped style the models.

Miss Markwell added: “I have models and designers from all backgrounds, personalities, and experiences. Seeing their confidence grow, whether they are working as a designer, a model, or as part of the behind-the-scenes team, makes me feel incredibly proud.

“And, yes, every year at the show, I do cry – they are tears of happiness, because I am so proud of every single student and everything they achieve.”