On January 29, Central Hall played host to The Northern Youth Fashion Show, produced by HARD Magazine, in aid of Refugee Action York and the Xavier Project. The show gave eight northern design schools the chance to showcase their work in front of two of the highest profiles in international media: Editor-in-Chief of the Guardian Katharine Viner and Anna Wintour OBE, the Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue.
Ripon’s born and bred Viner kicked off the proceedings of the show with an enthusiastic speech about her love for the North. Having begun her journalistic career believing the profession was “just for men in suits in London”. She went on to encourage the audience to reach for their goals no matter what barriers may seem to be in the way, using her own career journey, which has led to Viner being the first female Editor-in-Chief of the Guardian, as an example.
Hair bob in full bounce, Wintour followed taking centre stage. Continuing Viner’s message of inspiration she detailed her unconventional story of her progression to her current position as English Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue. Wintour, who has held her position since 1988, shared her thoughts on the start of her career saying: “I was the one who went to work aged 17. It’s a path I sometimes regret when I see how my own children have made friends for life and how important the years they spent there were just to figure things out.” Despite this, she encouraged audience members to not “be too specialised, be intellectually free, try lots of things”, urging people not to dismiss the importance of failing in the process of learning.
Contrary to the rather formidable reputation Wintour has gained, shown in the film many believe to be based on her, The Devil Wears Prada, she expressed her disappointment, saying “I’m struck these days by how often people come up to me and ask to take a photograph, instead of shaking hands, meeting one’s eyes and having an actual conversation.” She voiced her admiration for social media, portraying it as an “incredible tool” in the modern day, however, warned audiences “you don’t want to spend your entire life clicking and liking”.
The two joined on stage for a quickfire interview where Viner probed Wintour on her thoughts on the upcoming US election. Being a strong supporter and personal friend of Hilary Clinton, she said: “I think she would be the first to say that she wouldn’t want people to vote for her just because she’s a woman. I think that’s a rather old fashioned way of thinking; people should vote for her because she’s the best choice.” She went on to express her distaste for Donald Trump, admitting how she had underestimated his support but describing him as “really not a viable candidate…he has no substance to anything that he says, he just goes with the sound-bite. I’m not sure he even knows where Syria is.”
Members of the audience were then given a chance to put their questions forward. Wintour explained the biggest risk she had taken was dropping everything in London and moving to New York. She informed the audience that film is one of the biggest art forms of inspiration for her, and when asked how she would suggest someone could cultivate their own signature style, replied curtly: “look in the mirror”.
The fashion show itself gave the opportunity for relatively local up-and-coming musical artists, including Billie Marten and Hannah Holmes, to showcase their talents. The northern fashion schools used students from the University of York to model their lines in Central Hall (or was it London’s Soho?) with lighting, music and design coming together to create a multi-sensory masterpiece.
The production was organised and put on by full-time students from the University of York, with the committee headed by Anna Wintour’s niece, Ellie Wintour, in order to raise money for refugee support through the charities of the Xavier Project and Refugee Action York. Along with proceeds from the ticket sales, a raffle was held including prizes such as a Mulberry bag and a voucher for afternoon tea at Betty’s (we spent £21 and won…nothing).
Overall the production was a huge success with the passion and professionalism shining through. A massive well done to all involved.