Hull & East Yorkshire Fashion Week has concluded its latest edition following a series of events designed to connect the region’s creative industries, education sectors, and local businesses.

Led for the first time by regional fashion brand HOUSEOFTUYI, the week-long programme featured public catwalk shows, trade fairs, live performances, and corporate networking events staged across Hull city centre. The initiative marks an ongoing coordinated effort to retain creative talent within the Humber region, an area undergoing significant economic and cultural regeneration.

Events were hosted at multiple municipal and private venues, including Trinity Market, Monocle, Jubilee Church, Queen Victoria Square, and the Federation of Sport. Key events included the Hull Trade Fair, which provided an exhibition platform for independent designers, vintage retailers, and creative entrepreneurs alongside students from East Riding College. A public open-air exhibition, titled Theatre of Dreams, also utilised Queen Victoria Square for live performance and design showcases.

A primary focus of the initiative was vocational development. More than 60 students from East Riding College secured direct operational roles, working across event production, fashion design, photography, marketing, hair, and beauty disciplines.

The event received strategic and administrative support from a coalition of regional bodies, including Hull City Council, Future Humber, Visit Hull, HullBID, and the University of Hull. Hull City Council confirmed it has supported the strategic planning of the project over a two-year period to help establish the event as a permanent fixture in the region's cultural and business calendar.

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.

Kerry Wray, Head of Faculty for Creative and Business at East Riding College, added: “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.”

Kath Wynne-Hague, Head of Culture, Place and City Centre at Hull City Council, stated: “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.”