By Elizabeth Broughton

Last updated at 12:39, Saturday, 07 February 2009

Carlisle could soon be on the fashion map alongside the likes of Saville Row, all thanks to a talented young tailor who’s in line for a top award.

Andrea Nixon

Andrea Nixon, 22, is currently on a work placement at Steeds Bespoke Tailoring on Junction Street and has won through to the finals of a prestigious Merchant Taylors’ Company contest.

The University of Cumbria graduate, who attended Morton School and Trinity Sixth Form, is one of 26 finalists in the Golden Shears Tailoring Contest – and she couldn’t be happier about bringing her home city some stylish recognition.

Andrea said: “Obviously a lot of people entering the contest will be from the London College of Fashion and apprentices from Saville Row.

“Carlisle’s a long way from London and it’ll be good to show people from Carlisle are just as good.”

The jacket and skirt Andrea has entered in the competition were both inspired by “natural patterns”. She created the jacket as part of her degree in Contemporary Applied Arts, from which she graduated in November with first class honours.

“I wove the fabric for the jacket and the weave is inspired by animal prints,” explained Andrea, of Lodore Drive, Stansfield Park.

“The colours come from peacock feathers.

“I made the jacket for my degree at college and you get a lot of marks for the research behind it, and it has to be apparent in your finished article.”

Andrea made the decision to enter the jacket in the Golden Shears contest, which carries a £2,000 top prize, after realising her jacket fitted the brief perfectly.

And, having already showcased the item at exhibitions in London, it’s received a lot of attention.

She said: “A lot of people have been interested in it and a lot of people have commented on the style – it’s very traditional and quite wearable, but totally different.

“It’s not for sale and I not be able to part with it, but I put so much work and effort into it I’m quite scared to wear it.”

At the London final of the competition, in the Merchant Taylors’ Hall on March 16, Andrea will have the chance to see her creations modelled by professionals in front of 250 people on the catwalk, where it will be judged by a panel of professionals on its style.

As well as the top prize of £2,000, the contest also offers £1,500 to the runner up and winner of the Silver Shears, and a further £1,000 to a rising star.

Andrea added: “At the moment because I’ve just finished college I’m trying to keep my options open. I’ll keep on making things for people to commission and that kind of thing, so my degree is not a waste and I keep on learning different things.

“But it would be brilliant to win the competition.”

First published at 09:08, Saturday, 07 February 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk