THE FAMOUS military red and black doeskin cloth, worn by generations of soldiers - and Prince William on his wedding day - was the inspiration behind a fashion design project for students at the University of Huddersfield.

Supplied by Yorkshire woollen specialist Hainsworth, a 229-year-old company that became well known for its traditional red uniform cloth worn by British soldiers until the end of the 19th century, students created a collection of contemporary womenswear.

The six garments will be on show during Yorkshire Wool Week, from Monday, October 15, at the Leeds Industrial Museum, Armley Mills. It will be seen alongside the permanent exhibition. Behind the Seams, hosted by Leeds Fashion Works, which celebrates the heritage of British skills in the fashion industry.

Like many projects at the university’s fashion department it draws together local industry and design talent.

“We like to work with local companies,” said Kathryn Brennand, senior lecturer in fashion at Huddersfield University.

“There are still fine, quality wool producers in Yorkshire, it’s a fantastic area for textiles.

“One of the modules we teach is tailoring and we try to foster links with local manufacturers. Hainsworth’s cloth is perfect for tailoring and the students enjoy working with it.”

The designs for the six garments on show were part of the students’ final collections. Teaching staff and technicians worked through the summer to construct the garments in time for Wool Week.

Tom Hainsworth, MD of Hainsworth, says it is a stunning collection.

“We’re delighted that the students have created such a diverse and distinctive range of garments using our fabrics.”

The six students featured are:

Lisa Tibbs, 25, whose full length black dress has a high front and contrast collar. “The idea behind my design was to play on the androgynous elements in everyday menswear and interpret them into a sophisticated and edgy womenswear piece with a twist.”

Kate Duckworth, 22, created a red sculptured skirt and leather military jacket with oversized white cuffs. “My garment embodies the heritage of Hainsworth, combining its influence in British culture with the lustrous qualities of the fabric and innovation into future design,” she said.

Bethany Winrow, 23, designed a menswear black jacket suit with contrasting red panels, inspired by majestic birds of prey. She said: “Using fine British wool for a luxurious feel the collection encompasses elements of classic and modern design.”

Chloe Savage, 22, created a black jacket and skirt with oversized scarf detail and took inspiration from the layers and contours of canyons in nature. “My garments were created to wrap the body, forming a protective outer shell,” she explained.

Nicole Goodwin, 23, designed a black jacket suit with contrasting red panels and describes it as inspired by a: “classic super-hero costume.”

Michelle Nash, 23, chose the theme of protective armour and shells for her red dress with inverted front detail. It is, she says, “a strong structured look for the modern woman today.”

Hainsworth, which is based in Pudsey, supplies luxury fabrics to the world’s royalty, including the Queen. It is an exclusive supplier of ceremonial cloth to the Ministry of Defence – seen on the iconic Royal Guard outside Buckingham Palace.

Until the Boer War, Hainsworth supplied the War Office with the distinctive red cloth, which was then worn by soldiers in combat. However, when demand for the fabric diminished it developed a new khaki serge for battledress.

Over the years the company has made cloth for some of the world’s most luxurious car makers, including Jaguar and Bentley, and today it is a high-tech textile company focussed on innovation.

Last year it sponsored the tailoring projects at Huddersfield University.

Next Thursday, during Yorkshire Wool Week, we’ll be looking at the growing popularity of knitting and meeting a Brighouse knitwear designer.