HUDDERSFIELD is to get its own fashion version of TV's Fame Academy or Pop Idol.
Textile chiefs are to set up 36 fast-growing fashion and textile design businesses - and create at least 60 jobs - in the next three years.
The ambitious project is being led by the Textile Centre of Excellence, at Red Doles Lane, off Leeds Road, Bradley Mills, where the businesses will be based.
The centre will be home to a 6,450sq ft design "incubator" for the Yorkshire's most promising start-up textile and fashion design businesses run by Yorkshire's best graduates.
It is to hoped to have the new facility up and running early next year.
Leading textile firms will provide mentoring, coaching and support for the designers.
The designers will be the cream of the 1,000-plus textile and fashion design students who graduate each year from universities, including Huddersfield, and colleges across Yorkshire.
The centre has a membership of more than 80 firms.
The project, paid for by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, is one of several schemes to boost local textiles.
Other measures include better business support and help with research and development.
Susan Johnson, executive director of business at Yorkshire Forward, said: "Our regional strength in textiles is founded on the excellence in textile design.
"There is tremendous scope to nurture and grow entrepreneurial businesses that can service worldwide markets.
"Huddersfield is the natural home for this exciting project."
Ms Johnson said the new unit would enable the "strong pool" of fashion and design graduates in Yorkshire to branch out on their own and succeed in an increasingly competitive global market.
Chris Antich, chairman of the textile centre and head of Bradley- based commission weaving firm C & J Antich, welcomed the move.
He said the new unit would provide design graduates with work- space and access to the centre's production and development facilities, including small-scale manufacturing and materials testing.
