Northumbria Graduate announced as winner of Faduma’s Fellowship Design competition

Faduma’s Fellowship winner has been announced as Fashion Design graduate, Harriet Eccleston. Harriet, a former pattern cutter at Paul Smith, won the design competition after her proposal was reviewed and selected by the Faduma Fellowship industry panel. This will be the first adaptive-wear line Harriet has created, and her concept was supported by the research of fellow Northumbria graduates and twins, Rebecca and Melissa Everett. Harriet Eccleston and Faduma Farah are developing the first full collection to launch during London Fashion Week that has been designed with wheelchair users at its heart.

Harriet is the founder and designer of her own Derbyshire-based womenswear label, Harriet Eccleston, established in 2019. Inspired by generations of tailors, drapers and milliners in her family, Harriet's fascination and appreciation for impeccable craftsmanship, quality and well-honed techniques is deeply rooted. Fellow Northumbria University graduates, Rebecca and Melisa also studied Fashion and Business together at Manchester Metropolitan University. For their final thesis, in partnership with The Stroke Foundation, Rebecca and Melissa looked extensively into the lack of adaptive clothing and media recognition for otherly-abled young people. Their work was spotted by and featured on the BBC ‘Disabled-friendly clothing created for fashion's 'forgotten audience'. 

Speaking of winning the Fellowship, Harriet said, "Three months ago I had very little awareness of what adaptive clothing was. The more I am learning & experiencing the more I see how important this work is. I am delighted to be working with Faduma to spark change to ensure that everybody can wear the clothes that they love”. Faduma commented, “I’m so thrilled Harriet has accepted the award. She is an amazingly talented designer, full of passion and fire and will be a great advocate for the work we are doing through the fellowship.”