Celebrating Fashion and Culture with Leadership Challenge

On Thursday 21 May, three students hosted a fashion show at North Cambridge Academy and invited students, teachers, and families to come and watch. 

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  • Flyer for NCA Student Lead Fashion Runway with event details on a blue note beside a black-and-white fashion poster

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From the initial Leadership Challenge Launch event in January, the students knew immediately they wanted to create a project that combined fashion with culture. They decided to design and make their own outfits using recycled and thrifted materials, creating dresses inspired by different cultures and decorated with hand‑embroidered motifs. 


Throughout the process, the students were organised and worked well as a team. They arranged all aspects of the event including booking the room, liaising with teachers, encouraging their peers to model and designing promotional posters. Their hard work paid off as the event ran smoothly, and they were all genuinely proud of what they achieved. 


Alongside their handmade outfits, ten prom dresses were kindly donated by the Stephen Perse Foundation and EACH. These dresses were offered to the Year 11 students who may not be able to afford their own. Modelling the donated dresses in such a positive and supportive environment helped remove any sense of stigma or worry, making it clear that accepting one of the dresses was something to feel confident and excited about. 

Josie Crisp 

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