Designer Area & Fashion Show at Stitch Fest South West 2025

We’re excited to introduce a brand-new feature at this year’s Stitch Fest South West: a Designer Area and Fashion Show that brings together independent businesses, emerging designers, and textile students for a creative celebration design, style, and craft.

Taking place on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd November 2025 at Newton Abbot Racecourse, Devon, this new programme offers the chance to showcase original garments, meet other designers, and connect with the next generation of textile talent.

For Students: Model, Exhibit & Sell

We’re working with universities across the South West to offer fashion and textile students a chance to take part in:

A professionally photographed fashion show
Modelling opportunities (for own work or that of others)
A shared sales stall to sell garments, handspun yarn, or woven fabrics
Industry networking and the chance to build portfolio

How Students Can Take Part

Students from participating universities have two exciting ways to get involved in the Stitch Fest South West 2025 Fashion Show and Designer Area

Apply to Model

We’re offering each university the chance to nominate up to two student models to walk in the professionally produced Fashion Show, taking place on Saturday or Sunday.

As a model, you’ll:

Model your own knitwear or textile designs, if you wish
Represent fellow students by wearing their garments in the show
Walk the runway in garments from independent South West designers
Receive a set of professional photographs to use in your portfolio
Have your travel expenses covered

This is a brilliant opportunity to showcase your work, gain confidence, and be part of a stylish, supportive creative event.

Apply To Model

Submit a Garment or Product

Whether or not you’re modelling, you can also apply to submit a garment or item for display in the fashion show and/or for sale on our shared student stall.

You can submit:

Hand-knitted or crocheted garments
Woven textiles or handspun yarn
Finished fashion items or accessories

You’ll have the option to:

Showcase your piece(s) on the catwalk
Sell your work at Stitch Fest (you set the price)
Participate in a sales rota with students from other universities

We’ll return any unsold items free of charge, and you’ll gain direct experience in exhibiting and selling your work to a craft-savvy audience.

Submit Garments/Products

For Exhibitors & Independent Designers

Are you an independent designer, dyer, or textile innovator with a passion for modern making?

Join us in the Designer Area to;

Showcase and sell your work to an engaged audience of makers and buyers
Feature your garments in our curated fashion show, modelled by students or your own team
Run a live demo, talk, or mini workshop on your design process, materials, or creative inspiration

This is a fantastic opportunity to connect directly with customers, collaborate with student talent, and be part of a vibrant, forward-thinking creative space at Stitch Fest. Please email sarah@stitchfest.co.uk for more details.