FOUR students from Glasgow have graduated from a fashion and textiles school bearing the name of the world’s largest fashion and luxury group.

Mairi MacLeod, Victorine Teva, Shabana Ali and Videga Zaltone all enrolled on an intensive eight-week training course in developing sewing skills and finished products.

This took place in The LVMH Textile Training Centre at Dumfries House near Cumnock and was run by The Prince of Wales’ charity The Prince’s Foundation.

In order to establish the training academy, the luxury goods group LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton sponsored the refurbishment of an unused sawmill on Dumfries House estate.

The course is part of a wider project run by The Prince’s Foundation called Future Textiles, which has been running for four years and aims to breathe fresh talent into Scotland’s fashion and textiles industry.

Mairi applied for a place on the course to learn how to design products and sew to industry standards.

The 26-year-old said: “Before joining the course, I worked as a costume assistant in Glasgow but didn’t know much about sewing or manufacturing clothes and felt like it would be a great opportunity for me to learn.

“I loved every minute of the course and learnt so much as the tutors were very hands-on and the class was small.

"Through the course, I’ve been introduced to many people in the industry which has been great.

"I’m very interested in sustainability in fashion and being on this course has inspired me to seek employment in the Scottish textiles industry.”

Mairi, Videga, Victorine and Shabana were given the opportunity to meet HRH The Prince of Wales on the day of their graduation and were also presented certificates of achievement from The Great British Sewing Bee’s Patrick Grant and leading Scottish textiles manufacturer John Sugden, who are co-chairs of The Prince’s Foundation’s Future Textiles steering group.

Shabana, who lives in Maryhill, decided to apply for a place on the course after graduating from Glasgow Clyde College with an HND qualification in fashion and design.

The 34-year-old said: “I’ve always been interested in fashion and design but wanted to build up my skills and meet people that might be able to help me gain employment in the industry.

“During the course at Dumfries House, I was offered the opportunity to do a placement with Ingles Buchan and have since been offered a paid job as a machinist with them.

"When I found out I’d got the job, I was so happy as I’ve been looking for work in the fashion and textiles industry for a long time.”

Jacqueline Farrell, education director at The Prince’s Foundation at Dumfries House, said: “In the British textiles industry, there is currently a huge demand for skilled employees.

"The courses run by The Prince’s Foundation at The LVMH Textile Training Centre exist not only to equip trainees like Mairi, Shabana, Videga and Victorine with the practical skills they need but also to connect them with industry professionals.

“As part of the course, the trainees undertook a work placements with top designers and textiles manufacturers in Ayr, Glasgow and London.

"Everyone was very impressed with their talent and work ethic and we look forward to seeing what they all do next.”