Catwalk thrill for young designer
FASHION student Emma Hernaman is celebrating after stepping off the catwalk as a prizewinner in a prestigious competition for young designers.
Eighteen-year-old Emma Hernaman, who is a second year National Diploma fashion student at Havering College of Further and Higher Education, has clinched third place in The Liberty Fashion Design Competition.
The event – organised in association with fashion giant Miss Selfridge – culminated in a catwalk show before hundreds of shoppers at the shopping centre in Romford. Special guests included the Mayor of Havering, Cllr Pam Light and her husband Terry.
The competition was open to young designers studying at schools, colleges and universities in Havering, East London and across Essex.
Fifteen of the 20 finalists were from Havering College.
The outfits paraded on the catwalk by professional models were judged by a panel of experts from Miss Selfridge.
Miss Selfridge area manager Topaz O’Leary said: “For us, the competition is about supporting young designers who are coming through with their new ideas to keep the industry alive. We are very impressed with their efforts and how impassioned they are about designing.”
The event also raised funds for Miss Selfridge’s chosen charity, the Lavender Trust which supports younger women with breast cancer.
Hornchurch resident Emma is delighted her top and skirt, combining this season’s nude and neutral tones, caught the judges’ eyes. She was presented with a certificate to mark her achievement.
Emma said: “I was surprised to make it through to the final and am very happy to be picked out as a runner-up.”
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