Two Liverpool women are flying the flag for the overlooked North as they take their first steps into the world of high-end fashion.
Hannah Baker, from Walton, and Aleisha Petasi, from Crosby, were two of just 30 aspiring fashion designers selected worldwide to study at the elite Jimmy Choo Fashion Academy in London. Now in their first year, the former City of Liverpool College students are hoping to break into the fashion industry in their own different ways.
Hannah, 19, said: "It's amazing we've got in. We're just two girls from Liverpool when there's people from all around the world here – there's people from Thailand, America, there's someone from Paris.
"I was so shocked, I really couldn't believe it. I applied because I was advised to, but I thought I'd never hear back, so I'm really happy."
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Hannah, an aspiring clothing designer, and Aleisha, who dreams of building her own fashion brand, were encouraged to apply to the prestigious academy after watching a video tour. Aleisha submitted her ideas for a business empire, while Hannah sent over a portfolio of dresses she had made.
She said: "A lot of them had a lot of flow to them, with added materials to make a lot of flower shapes and a lot of pleats. I love to use colour and patterns and asymmetrial shapes. I like dresses that are off the shoulder and flow in different angles and waves; they interest me the most."
Aleisha, also 19, said: "I really want to create a brand centred around identity and upbringing and political views. I'm very socialist and outspoken, I believe in equality and I feel like people like me don't get opportunities like this every day, so as soon as I did I wanted to put my views out there. I did a project when I moved to London about the social classes, comparing the rich to the homeless, and how that is presented. You have very poor people living among very rich people.
"It's a lot of photography, it's a lot of research and it is quite difficult, and it's a process which takes weeks to do. I start with a story or idea and take photos that relate to that idea and create art, and that art I translate into a garment."
The two women are currently in the middle of their first projects at the academy, which was founded by famous Malaysian fashion designer Jimmy Choo to discover the future pioneers of fashion design.
Hannah, who is producing fashion designs inspired by 1960s London, said: "I'm making it quite personal to me, encorporating the area I live in, which isn't very well-off, and fashion there compared to Central, Chelsea and Kensington fashion is so different – especially during the 1960s, which was a very colourful time, but a very difficult time for a lot of people."
Aleisha, who is working on building her own brand, called ALTOO, said: "This is the name that my family called me when I was young, so it's got a very personal meaning to me. I really want to make menswear. Right now, I'm trying to make lines of T-shorts to help fund future fashion projects for the brand."
She added: "I feel so happy, because I feel like there's not many opportunities in the North West for fashion, and I want to show people from Liverpool who want to do things like this that it is possible."
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