Most of the funding has come from Yorkshire Forward, a regional government development agency, but Kirklees Council and the Huddersfield-based Textile Centre of Excellence are also major contributors.

The main events of the week will be the one-day exhibition, Behind The Seams, organised by Skillfast-UK, the sector skills council for fashion and textiles.

The exhibition will be in a marquee outside the Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield, on Friday June 26 and will feature major brands such as Mulberry, Jasper Conran, English Eccentrics, Johnson's of Elgin and Henry Poole of Savile Row.

Friday will see two Gala Fashion Shows at the Galpharm – one free to students and one ticket-only – with catwalk scenes staged by Louise Morton & Co.

Collections by graduates, students and established designers will be showcased, including garments by one of the country’s leading designers, Betty Jackson.

Supporting the event will be Yorkshireman Christopher Bailey, creative director of Burberry, who said: “I feel incredibly proud to be associated with such a fantastic initiative and expression of Northern British talent and one that really reflects the heritage the county has always had in textiles, design, quality and creativity.’’

Burberry produces its iconic rainwear in Castleford and regularly works with the region’s universities.

The University of Huddersfield and Kirklees College are both involved with Yorkshire Fashion Week, which has been timed to coincide with the final collection shows of universities and colleges in the region.

John said: “We have a vibrant industry here. There have, of course, been some casualties of the recession but those that have survived are going from strength to strength.

“There are going to be some great opportunities in this area. And that’s what this event is all about.’’

Tickets for the gala show and exhibition are still available, at £25 each, from The Textile Centre of Excellence, 01484 346500 or email yfw@textile-training.com