Unity and creativity take centre stage as Hull & East Yorkshire Fashion Week exceeds expectations

Hull & East Yorkshire Fashion Week has been hailed a huge success after turning an ambitious vision into a week-long celebration of creativity, collaboration and opportunity.

The week, led for the first time by fashion brand HOUSEOFTUYI, featured a packed programme of catwalk shows, trade fairs, live performances, networking events and educational showcases staged across Hull.

Hundreds of people attended, but organisers said the most significant achievement was the sense of unity created between the region’s creative, education and business communities as they worked together to deliver a shared ambition for the region.

Events took place at locations in Hull including Trinity Market, Monocle, Jubilee Church, Queen Victoria Square and the Federation of Sport.

Highlights included the opening Hull Trade Fair, which showcased independent designers, beauty brands, vintage sellers and creative entrepreneurs, alongside work from East Riding College students.

A private Vision Reveal preview night brought together stakeholders, sponsors and educators for an exclusive first look at the long-term vision for Fashion Week.

The Hair & Beauty Walk shone a spotlight on local salons, barbers, make-up artists and skincare specialists, while Theatre of Dreams transformed Queen Victoria Square into an immersive celebration of fashion, music, dance and storytelling.

The week culminated with the sold-out Grand Finale, featuring runway collections from East Riding College fashion students alongside established regional and national designers.

Organisers said the strong turnout and level of collaboration demonstrated the appetite for a long-term fashion and creative platform in Hull and East Yorkshire.

Seguntuyi Onakoya, Founder and Creative Director of HOUSEOFTUYI, said: “The response exceeded our expectations. What started as a vision and a dream became a reality because so many people believed in it and wanted to be part of it.

“One of the most rewarding aspects was seeing people from different backgrounds, industries and communities come together with a shared purpose. There was a real sense of unity throughout the week, whether it was students, businesses, creatives or members of the public. Everyone brought positive energy and helped create something special.

“Working with East Riding College students was a huge highlight. They weren't only showcasing their talents on stage – they were working behind the scenes in photography, graphic design, hair, beauty and event support roles, and they delivered with professionalism and passion.

“Fashion Week is about much more than clothing. It's a platform for people to express themselves through fashion, music, theatre and creativity, while creating opportunities for emerging talent and raising the profile of local businesses.

“We’re incredibly grateful to every organisation, partner, sponsor and volunteer who believed in the vision from the beginning. This feels like the start of something really important for Hull and East Yorkshire, and we’re excited to continue building the community and growing Fashion Week in the years ahead.”

East Riding College students played a central role throughout the week, with more than 60 gaining hands-on experience across fashion, hair, beauty, performance, marketing and event production.

Kerry Wray, Head of Faculty for Creative and Business at the college, said: “Being involved in Hull & East Yorkshire Fashion Week has been an incredible opportunity for our students to experience the creative industries in a real-world setting.

“From showcasing and selling their own designs to collaborating across fashion, hair, beauty, music, performing arts and media disciplines, our students have gained invaluable hands-on experience, confidence and professional insight.

“Opportunities like this help inspire the next generation of creatives and demonstrate just how much talent we have here in our region.”

Fashion Week also received support from organisations including Hull City Council, Future Humber, Visit Hull, HullBID and the University of Hull.

Kath Wynne-Hague, Head of Culture, Place and City Centre at Hull City Council – which has supported the planning of Fashion Week for two years – said: “There’s an incredible wealth of talent in the creative and fashion industries in our city and the council was pleased to be able to help establish the annual Hull & East Yorkshire Fashion Week.

“It’s an event everyone involved should be proud of and we hope the council’s support during the initial two years will allow organisers to grow it into something that will attract more and more designers, showcasing their professions and raising their profiles regionally and nationally.”

Leahann Barnes, Head of Partnerships and Place at Future Humber, said: “It’s been a delight to work with Seguntuyi. His passion and determination have helped turn an ambitious vision into a truly remarkable event for our region.

“The success of Hull & East Yorkshire Fashion Week has been a testament to that vision, bringing together businesses, educators, students, creatives and communities to celebrate the wealth of talent we have across the Humber.

“The event perfectly reflects the Humber's values – it is real in creating opportunities for local talent, remarkable in its ambition, revolutionary in challenging perceptions and resourceful in bringing together partners from across the region.

“Future Humber is proud to support an event that showcases the creativity, collaboration and confidence that make our region such a special place, and we look forward to seeing Fashion Week continue to grow in the years ahead.”

Organisers now hope to build on the success of the event and establish Hull & East Yorkshire Fashion Week as a permanent fixture in the region's cultural and business calendar.

· Any business or organisation that would like to get involved should email houseoftuyi@gmail.com