Photo L-R: Helen Stephenson, Organiser of the RNLI Fashion Show, with OPs james Steward and Hannah Moody

A team of Pocklington School former pupils and parents joined forces on 22 March 2017 to stage a fashion show to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

OP creative brother and sister team, James Steward (87-92) and Hannah Moody (née Steward 90-99), set up in business together in 2016 to create their own fashion label and showcased the latest ‘James Steward’ collection at the event.

Clare Kaye, owner of Jenni Jones Boutique in Pocklington and a current parent at the School, also showed some of the collections in her boutique, expertly modelled by a group of friends including current pupils and parents, former parents and OP Yasmin Remblance (05-15).  Held in the Music School (some OPs will remember it as the Assembly Hall) on the School campus, the whole event was organised by Helen Stephenson, a current parent and wife of OP Phil Stephenson (72-80), who welcomed over 150 guests on the evening.

Based in Wetherby, Leeds, James and Hannah design and make ready-to-wear and bespoke dresses in-house for all occasions, whether it be a wedding, a prom, a night out, a day at the races or just a special treat.

Both are trained fashion designers with over 35 years’ experience between them. James trained at the Kent Institute of Art and Design, after which he worked with couture houses in Italy, Ben de Lisi in London and has twice won Yorkshire Bridal Designer of the year.    Hannah graduated from the prestigious Cordwainers College and went straight into the footwear industry to work as a footwear and handbag designer, travelling the world working with factories in China, India, Italy, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Clare Kaye has worked in the fashion industry for over 25 years and has been running the successful Jenni Jones Boutique since 2014. Set over two floors, the Boutique sells smart and casual women’s fashion as well as jewellery, handbags and footwear.

Helen Stephenson, event organiser, commented:  “It’s been great to work with James, Hannah, Clare and all our wonderful models, who have very generously given their time and expertise to make this event a success.  Being in the Music School gave it a great atmosphere and we raised over £1,930 for the RNLI on the night, which we are delighted with.”