Joe sees off stellar field – and sets sights on bigger win
TELEVISION PRESENTER Anita Rani took to the catwalk yesterday at the Great Yorkshire Show to champion the best of British fashion and design.
Dressed in a statement red gown by John Lewis, the Bradford-born star of and
stepped out for the Kuoni Catwalk celebrity VIP fashion show accompanied by a stylish troupe of Yorkshire celebrities.
“I think this is more nerveracking than she said, just before her catwalk debut. “I’m absolutely terrified. Hopefully I won’t fall over.”
Ms Rani explained that her parents, who had been due to accompany her to the show, were unable to catch her runway performance, as her father had broken his foot. “Dad, look what you’re missing out on,” she said.
Later on the catwalk, she looked every inch the professional model, joined by soprano Lizzie Jones, who was dressed by James Steward, the Wetherby-based red carpet and special occasion designer who has created showstopping pieces for celebrities including Kylie Minogue and Victoria Beckham.
Meanwhile, Olympic show jumper Graham Fletcher demonstrated how a catwalk should be walked while wearing Barbour. Completing the celebrity model line-up were Yorkshire ITV stars Jon Mitchell, also dressed by Barbour, and John Shires, modelling Brook Taverner.
The Great Yorkshire Show catwalk has become an increasingly popular and prestigious platform in recent years for British and Yorkshire fashion, with renowned high-street names choosing it to showcase their collections alongside both established and emerging local designers and talented students.
As well as a preview of John Lewis and Barbour’s autumn/ winter collections, this year also features a special sartorial tribute to celebrate the 160th Great Yorkshire Show, with designs by up-and-coming designer Joanna Rishworth, a graduate of Harrogate College. She has researched and recreated what people would have worn to the very first Great Yorkshire Show, held in York in 1838, using cloth from Abraham Moon of Guiseley, tailored by Keighley-based menswear brand Brook Taverner.
Another first for the fashion pavilion is Shepherdess, a collection of tweed tailoring by Yorkshire hill farmer Alison O’Neill, while new lifestyle brand Huff Equestrian also made its debut yesterday on the Kuoni Catwalk with its chic range of clothes and accessories designed to be worn both on and off the horse.
Showcasing emerging designers has become an important aspect of the Fashion Pavilion and yesterday saw another Harrogate College graduate, Berenice Gilmour, show Drunk in Love Couture, her first collection of alternative wedding dresses, while Barnsley College students brought their Egyptian-themed designs to life on the Kuoni Catwalk for the first time.
Not to be outdone, the Great Yorkshire Show itself has launched a range of T-shirts, polos, rugby shirts and caps, while the YAS tweed collection, hugely popular since its launch last year, and featuring jackets and caps, was also showcased. JOE CLAYTON savoured a memorable success in front of a home crowd on day one of the Great Yorkshire Show before setting his sights on an even bigger victory in tomorrow’s feature contest.
Huddersfield rider Clayton glistened under blue skies in the week’s first showjumping class yesterday afternoon as the 28-year-old and Via VD Karmenhoek Z took the William Hanson Stakes by seeing off a stellar field including last year’s Cock O’The North winner, Nigel Coupe on Golvers Hill.
Coupe and his 2017 Hickstead Derby winner had to settle for finishing third as Clayton and Via VD Karmenhoek Z raced to victory in a jump-off featuring the five combinations to go clear in the first round.
Irishman Paul Kennedy was edged out into second on Cartown Danger Mouse with two other Yorkshire riders completing the top five as Jamie Gornall finished fourth on Christian 25, just ahead of Paul Barker in fifth on Dalton W.
A similarly strong field will also bid for glory in tomorrow’s feature, the Cock O’The North Championship, and Clayton will now save his opening day ride for that prestigious contest in the bid to land the Great Yorkshire’s show jumping crown jewel for the first time in his young career.
“That was very good,” beamed a delighted Clayton.
“The only problem is, it can’t get much better! But hopefully we can stay at that level.
“The way he jumped there I think I will just probably save him and leave him until the Cock O’The North.
“I don’t think it’s worth jumping him again, we will try and save him for the main one as that’s the one we want to win.”