CHARLOTTE Hazell’s designs are the epitome of modern, country chic. Rustic tweeds sit with crisp cotton and cool linens in styles designed to turn heads.

And turning heads is just what the young designer has been doing since she left York College back in 2008, when her final-year collection featured in a competition at the Great Yorkshire Show, where she was a finalist in its Fashion Idol competition.

Since then, Charlotte has gone on to launch her own womenswear label, Charlotte Lucy, and she previewed her latest collection at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show.

Charlotte, of Norton, is expecting her first child in October, and worked flat out to get the capsule range ready in time for its unveiling at the Fashion Pavilion last week.

Turning against the tide of fast, disposable fashion, Charlotte believes clothes should last, and produces just one collection a year.

She sais: “The collection is full of transitional pieces with dresses that you can wear in summer and winter. Although my coats are mainly for winter, with the British weather, you can often wear them all year round.”

Her designs are timeless, but often with a quirky twist.

“My style is simple, clean-cut garments that are made to last and can stay in the wardrobe for years,” she said.

Key pieces for 2015 are waxed, linen macs that look great with a dress or a chunky coat that is a statement in itself, she said.

Charlotte hand-makes all pieces to order and customers can buy online. Charlotte aims to turn around all sales within two weeks.

She said the Great Yorkshire Show was a fantastic opportunity to showcase her work to a wider audience.

Charlotte said: “It was brilliant for me. My influences are the countryside because it is where I live, and there is a rural influence in the label. It will be great exposure to people. It is the right client market. Getting people to see your work can be a real struggle for a smaller label.”

CREDITS

Photography: Doug Jackson Photography

Fashion shoot venue: Pickering Station courtesy of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Models and fashion show co-ordination – Morton Gledhill, The Fashion Team

Hair and make-up – Bradford College