From Hackney to haute couture: budding fashionistas visit Paris Fashion Week and get to meet Jean Paul Gaultier

A group of 18-24 year olds from Hackney were whisked to the French capital to experience Paris Fashion Week with Jean Paul Gaultier, and meet the designer himself
Fashion capital: the group, pictured with Jean Paul Gaultier, watched top models walk the runway at his show in Paris

A group of fashion-forward young people from Hackney were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience Paris Fashion Week with Jean Paul Gaultier, and meet the designer himself.

The group, aged 18-24, were whisked to the French capital to watch the designer present his A/W 14-15 haute couture collection to 100 exclusive industry guests.

The Gothic show featured the catwalk debut of Eurovision Song Contest winner Conchita Wurst who closed the show in a dramatic black and red wedding dress.

The visit was the finale of a ten-week pilot project called Creativity Works: Fashion, which gives opportunities in creative industries to promising young people who are not in education or employment.

Byron Morris, 23, said: “The programme has given me the freedom to believe in myself — it’s changed my mindset. It’s up to us to face the real world.”

Stunning: models walk the runway at Jean Paul Gaultier's show in Paris (Picture: Getty)
Getty Images

As part of the scheme, the group of 30 have access to mentoring, workshops and placements at some of London’s most prestigious creative companies and establishments including the DAZED group, the London College of Fashion and the Barbican.

Their visit to Paris included a trip to the design studios of Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, who has created outfits for Madonna and rapper M.I.A. The designer told the group how he was inspired by London’s East End culture. He said: “It’s important that young people listen to a man of my generation so we can help them. I learnt from my masters but I also had to learn by myself. You have to cultivate yourself, go the Tate gallery, watch TV, read books and you will then have the knowledge and determination to succeed.” Mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe said: “Hackney is establishing itself as the fashion centre for London with an abundance of creativity typical of the borough. We are working to ensure that Hackney’s growing success as a centre for creative and tech industries provides real opportunities.”

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