Glamour girls on a budget hit the catwalk

Passion 4 Fashion is an initiative by a partnership of social housing providers, combining the fashion workshops with advice on finance, budgeting, work and training.

Neighbours Fallon Scaife and Carrie Wilkinson, Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing tenants from The Shearings, Liversedge, took a pair of £1.50 nightdresses and, for only a few pounds more, transformed them into glamorous party dresses.

Fallon, 25, said: “A housing officer suggested I ought to take part. I’d recently split from my husband and she reckoned it would be a good confidence builder for me. It’s done me a lot of good, it’s got me out and about, meeting new people and learning new skills. I don’t want it to end.

“Altogether my dress cost about £15, although that included paying for some professional sewing work doing.”

Carrie, 31, said: “The last time I used a sewing machine was in textiles lessons at school so it’s been a real learning experience.

“I bought the nightie, then two yards of material and some lace for £5, although it wasn’t meant to turn out how it actually did.

“It was going to be like something of Rihanna’s to start with – but every week I’d start working on it then come up with a new idea, so it was constantly changing.”

Both women will now model their creations at the fashion show, in Huddersfield Town Hall, which will also feature street dancing, belly dancers and a gospel choir.

Passion 4 Fashion co-ordinator Maria Hayden, from Connect Housing, said: “The event has been about giving people the confidence, information and skills to move their lives forward in a positive way.”

The project has been nominated for a Kirklees Council adult learning award.

The fashion show starts at 7pm and tickets are £2 from 01484 223200, Dewsbury Town Hall or Cleckheaton town hall.