Future fashion stars hit Glasgow catwalk in huge city show

The Glasgow Charity Fashion Show has raised more than £250,000 for local good causes since it launched in 2014, with students taking on individual challenges to raise as much money as possible.

This year’s spectacular 10th anniversary event, in the Old Fruitmarket in the Merchant City on Friday, February 16, is supporting Impact Arts, which helps people and communities transform their lives through art and creativity.

Last year, GCFS raised more than £44,000 for Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis, and previous charity partners include Refuweegee, Simon Community Scotland and Glasgow’s Women’s Aid.

The 2024 event, which has the theme of Dreams, is run by students from all three city universities – Glasgow, Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian.

One of the designers taking part, Flora McFarlane, who is in her final year studying fashion design at Glasgow School of Art, has been inspired by the city itself in her stunning collections.

Model: Sarah-Isabella Gunst in Flora McFarlane design. Photo: Samuel J Mitchell Make-up David Austin (Image: Model: Sarah-Isabella Gunst in Flora Mcfarlane design. Photo: Samuel J Mitchell Make-up David Austin)

“The knit dress with leather panels and tailored tuxedo silhouettes was inspired by the contrasting architecture in Glasgow, neo-classical and brutalist, that are lasting symbols of Scotland’s industrial past reiterated through textiles,” she explains.

“My work is influenced by the world around me, friends, family, objects, architecture, material culture. I specialise in both knitting and traditional tailoring, often combining both techniques.”

Samuel Salisbury is showcasing his stylish menswear collection at the runway event.

Samuel Salisbury's menswear designs will be showcased at the event (Image: Samuel Salisbury)

“Being featured by such a prestigious organisation is a true honour for an emerging designer,” he says. “The collection delves into the concept of Italian masculinity through four distinct looks.”

Yoshie Suwabe’s intriguing collection Biker will also feature in the show, inspired by her interest in Bushido codes and Bosozoku Japanese biker gangs.

Many of the models at GCFS are students who have never done anything like it before.

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Jessie Campbell, 21, is a history of art student, who decided to sign up for the event to “try something new.”

“It’s been such a lovely experience,” she says. “I’m quite creative and love to sew, so I made bags out of a recycled bouncy castle and sold them for my fundraiser. It was nice to know that I was using my skills for a good cause, and everyone was so generous.

“I’m a bit nervous about walking the runway in front of 800 people.”

Model: Stav Koumi Photo: Samuel J. Mitchell Stav wears Oxana Nicolov design. Make-up: David Austin (Image: Model: Stav Koumi Photo: Samuel J. Mitchell Stav wears Oxana Nicolov design. Make-up: David Austin)

Fellow model Vicky Fassoula, 26, is studying medicine, and organised a volleyball tournament as her fundraiser.

“As this my last year at university I am really trying to make the most of it and not miss out on any experiences,” she says.

“Throughout my life I have mostly been involved in academics and sports, so being a part of something so creative is really refreshing.”

Paris Babs, 18, who studies business and sociology, said: “As a model I think it’s easy to get swept up by the glamorous side of the fashion industry.

"However it is important to remember that everyone has a part to play in bettering our inner and wider communities."

Model: Paris Babs Photo: Samuel J. Mitchell Paris wears Oxana Nicolov designs. Make-up: David Austin (Image: Model: Paris Babs Photo: Samuel J. Mitchell Paris wears Oxana Nicolov designs. Make-up: David Austin)

She adds: "Though I am at the start of my career I feel like no matter where you are in life, you can always find a way to make a difference and have fun while doing it.”