YOUNG people in Felixstowe are learning about design to help them promote and produce a fashion show from scratch using second-hand, recycled and charity shop materials.

By Richard Cornwell

YOUNG people in Felixstowe are learning about design to help them promote and produce a fashion show from scratch using second-hand, recycled and charity shop materials.

Sessions are being held all week for the project - called Re-generate - with just a month to go before the youngsters put on the show and strut their stuff on the catwalk.

The design workshops are taking place at the Level Two youth centre, with the youngsters creating clothes, learning about set design, and make-up with Laura Kerr, and also how to dress shop the Red Cross and Age Concern windows to promote the event, working with Jay Millar, a window dresser who does Harrods and Selfridges main display in London.

Project organiser Ant Cartwright said: “It's going great. The young people are really enjoying it and are so enthusiastic.

“It's a big project but we know we can do it and everyone is working together and working very hard.

“It's a great experience with lots of elements - the chance to be creative, work as a team with each other and outside organisations and artists, to work with older people, and to build self-esteem and learn new skills.”

One of the main themes of the project is to encourage the youngsters to build relationships with people from different generations with adults from various organisations helping and advising.

High school age children interested in fashion, style, culture, identity and creativity are taking part in a range of activities - taking the roles of fashion and set designers, models, backstage crew, sound and lighting technicians, stylists, dressers, artists, event organisers, film makers, dancers, and choreographers.

The fashion show is to take place on November 30.

Youngsters are being invited to design a T-shirt on the theme of regenerate.

The competition is open for school year six to sixth form and the finalists from each age group will be judged at the fashion show. Entries must be in by November 1 and full details are available from Level Two, Cobbold Road, or by calling 01394 272521.

If you are involved in the project, tell us how you feel about it - write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk