A FASHION student from Kendal is hoping her luxury womenswear collection will impress at this year’s Graduate Fashion Week.

Ailsa Reeve, 25, is in her final year of a BA (Hons) Fashion degree at Manchester School of Art, part of Manchester Metropolitan University.

She has drawn on ideas of riding wear to create a contemporary and innovative collection which she describes as “classy with a slight edge”.

Ailsa initially planned to have a career with horses, but following an injury changed her path to follow her second love – fashion.

She said: “I based my final collection on riding wear, taking a huge part of my life and bringing it in to my work. I have used plaiting as the main focal point, using pastel colours to create a sophisticated feel.

“I wanted it to have a fun feel to it also, so I am creating rosettes that will accompany my collection that will keep it young and fresh.”

The former Queen Katherine School and Kendal College pupil has already had a three month internship with acclaimed designer Jonathan Saunders in London.

Each year, the best fashion students nationally are chosen to show their final year collections at Graduate Fashion Week. Ailsa’s collection will form part of the show by 21 students from Manchester Metropolitan University, at London’s Truman Brewery, on Monday (June 1).