Thanks to a group of talented WEA students, Liverpool has staged its first ever high profile fashion show aimed at the over 50's. It was been put together by WEA North West Region in partnership with Merseytravel, the Capital of Culture Company, Radio Merseyside and Marks and Spencer.

The twist to the over 50's fashion show was that the garments were designed by a group of women from local sheltered housing schemes across Liverpool and St Helens. They worked together to design, make and model their recycled garments, using skills they have learned on a Culture of Fashion course run by the WEA's Culture of Arts project. As participant Violet Murray said: "Projects like this definitely make you feel younger and give you a new lease of life."

Marks and Spencer used the catwalk parade to showcase their new Autumn fashions including the popular Per Una range, while Herbert's Training School and M.A.C Cosmetics supported the hair and beauty for the models. Switch and GM Print also sponsored the event.

The WEA's Culture of Arts Project Manager Alex Whittle said: "The project has enabled a group of participants who have had little or no experience of pattern making, sewing and stitching the opportunity to design, make and model a range of garments and showcase them. Through the project the group members have improved their self development, built confidence, increased self esteem and learnt practical skills in an enjoyable way."

Culture of Arts is a public arts programme run by the WEA which aims to promote Liverpool's diverse communities and help to celebrate the various cultures within the city during the Capital of Culture year. The project encourages participation from groups who may have previously experienced exclusion from society or who may find it difficult to participate in community arts projects. This is just one of a number of Culture of Arts events; a final exhibition of all the projects is planned at the Walker Art Gallery in 2009.

For more information:

Visit the Culture of Arts website at http://www.cultureofarts.co.uk/

Or contact Alex Whittle at the WEA on tel: 0151 243 5353 or email: awhittle@wea.org.uk.