Leeds Rag Fashion Show…expect the unexpected.

With the LRFS on the horizon we spoke to the organisers to get the inside gossip on what to expect from this year’s fashion extravaganza.


Three words to best describe this years RAG show?

Katie Carlisle (Director): Striking, imaginative and unexpected

You say that the show draws on themes of travel, landscapes and the exotic. Where did this inspiration come from?

Our theme is split into 8 stories which are inspired by different natural environments and habitats.

We wanted to give the stylists something they could adapt and interpret in their own way. Aftera having a brainstorm with the whole committee we saw this theme as the most exciting and the one that would appeal to the students of Leeds.

How do you think it compares with past shows we’ve seen?

This year there will be noticeable changes within the show, the length of the catwalk is going to be doubled and we have collaborated with the art collective Loco which we are very excited about. This means the visuals and the production will all be very different from the past shows.

Where will money raised be going?

Teddy Chabo (Head of Charity): ‘The  proceeds from the show always go to two charities: one local and one national. This year they are SARSVL (Support After Rape & Sexual violence Leeds), a charity which works in a huge range of ways to support women who have experienced sexual violence at any point in their lives.

The other is SUDEP Action, SUDEP is Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy, when people (often young) with epilepsy die with no apparent cause of death. They work to support bereaved families, raise awareness and to encourage further research.

SUDEP action was chosen because a student here, Emily Sumaria, died as a result of it in December 2012. As a hugely popular and well loved student, we are delighted to be able to support the charity her parents have chosen.

What new designers can we look forward to seeing?

Sophie Bee (Stylist): One of the designers we can look forward to seeing is Westminster graduate, Philli Wood. Her bold colour palette and cable-knit look designs are all statement pieces in themselves and will add a unique and quirky feel to the show.

Another exciting brand is London based knitwear and womenswear label Leutton Postle, who have created a vibrant collection embracing colour, unusual surface texture and rich pattern to create beautifully offbeat designs.

How can people go about getting involved next year?

There are 30 committee roles you can apply for as well as the chance to be a dresser or work on the production team on the night. If you want to get involved next year you can email [email protected]. The applications for the fashion show in 2015 start around October.

Get a ticket here.

LRFS, 27th February, The Refectory, 20:00