MODELS took to the catwalk in Felixstowe for the culmination of the ReGenerate project that over the last few months has seen young people putting the glitz on charity shop clothes.

MODELS took to the catwalk in Felixstowe for the culmination of the ReGenerate project that over the last few months has seen young people putting the glitz on charity shop clothes.

The fashion show was held at the Salvation Army Hall, Cobbold Road, and was a celebration of the work put in by all the 11 to 16 year olds that have taken part - with the youngsters running the whole show.

As well as the catwalk collection, the night also featured visual art and design and street dancers.

High school students interested in fashion and style have been getting help in tailoring their creative skills. Those involved have picked up a whole range of skills, including textile art and design, window dressing, set design, photography, and make-up.

Among those who helped give tips was Jay Millar, previously a window dresser at Selfridges and Harrods, and who helped the young people plan displays for the town's Age Concern and Red Cross shops.

“Young people have been transforming old clothes from Age Concern and the Red Cross and using their imagination to come up with more abstract results,” said Ant Cartwright, of the Level Two youth centre, which was the base for the project.

“This is all helping them to get a better understanding of what fashion is and can be, how you end up with a final product having gone through all the branding, design and identity that helps create it, while building up their own skills and experiences.”

Also involved in the ReGenerate partnership project was Suffolk Coastal council, the Local Network Fund, Suffolk ACRE, the Suffolk Coastal Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, and Suffolk police.

Were you involved in the project - what did you think of it? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk