When Victoria Walker, a fashion design student at Hull School of Art and Design, set up a Facebook group called the ‘Hull Fashion Alliance’, she had no idea of the unprecedented interest it would attract. Over one hundred people joined in the first three days. The Alliance is a collaboration of Hull-based designers who are hosting a fashion event at the Newland Avenue Boutique, Tessies, later this month. Victoria explained that the idea behind the Alliance was an unintimidating way to for local designers to build a community and “get involved” with the Hull fashion scene. With the typical friendliness that Hull is renowned for, Victoria wanted the whole affair to be approachable and without the cliquey elitism that is often found in fashion circles.
Fashion in Hull has been growing in recent years, spurred on by the emergence of plenty of boutiques, many of them located in the Newland Avenue area. “This underground fashion scene doesn’t get enough credit,” Victoria explained, and this is partially what inspired her to organize the Alliance. “In London, there is a lot of pressure to be ‘cool’ but in Hull anything goes.” The Alliance oozes with positivity about fashion in the North, and with good reason. Last year saw the first ever Yorkshire Fashion Week, an event that was attended by the Yorkshire-born Creative Director of Burberry, Christopher Bailey.
Nicola Gibbons, owner of Tessies, one of the newest boutiques to open on Newland Avenue, joined the Hull fashion buzz late last year. “I’ve always wanted my own shop” she explained. She’d originally planned to open a boutique in her native city Liverpool, but when she moved to Hull with her boyfriend and “fell in love” with Newland Ave, she knew that the bustling street and great community atmosphere would be an ideal location to place her new business.
There are plenty of local designers who are contributing to the uprising fashion scene in Hull. Alex Sykes, one of these designers, says that “inspiration can come from the music you listen to, a piece of jewellery, everyday life. It’s a process, a journey.” With this in mind they then create pieces for their customers, who come from all age groups. Nicola, of Tessies, once had “an eighty year old lady come in and buy a dress designed for an eighteen year old.” Victoria added that although fashion is not age confined, “the youth of today are more fashion focused” as it ties in with the music scene culture having a great influence on us all.
The designers and boutique owners alike believe that the student population has an impact upon this younger fashion scene in Hull; both designers and retailers are keen to build a good relationship with them. Value for money is certainly a concern for most as the credit crunch continues, not least of all students with their tight budgets. The pricing of their garments reflects this, with their philosophy being “Would a student rather spend £40 on one dress from Topshop or on two from a boutique like Tessies?” where items start from as little as £2.
Hull is certainly proving itself to be a launch pad for new fashion, promoting individuality that other cities may overlook. With a boost to the high street and the Hull Fashion Alliance giving a chance to independent designers and shops to showcase what they have to offer, 2010 looks to be the year that Hull’s fashion stars are rising. How bright will they shine? If the sequin blazers that Walker sells are anything to go by, they’ll catch the attention of everyone in their wake.
The Hull Fashion Alliance evening will be taking place at Tessies, 75 Newland Ave on the 17th March, from 4pm until 9pm. All are welcome to attend.
Charlotte Fletcher & Zofia Skrakowski
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