A WINCHESTER fashion designer who made her own dress for a wedding from upcycled curtains has scooped a national accolade for her thrifting talents and second-hand style.
Chamiah Dewey, from Bar End, won Best Young Professional Stylefluencer in the Sudocrem Great British Pre-Loved Awards.
Ms Dewey, 24, set up Chamiah Dewey Fashion, one of the country’s first clothing brands for customers under 5ft.
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The businesswoman spotted a £10 vintage curtain in a local charity shop and transformed the fabric into a bespoke wedding guest outfit.
Ms Dewey said: “To be recognised by a celebrity judging panel that I admire, and for the category of professional 'stylefluencer' is such an honour.
“I’ve been running my business for three years now, and my love for making clothing has grown with it.
“When I saw the vintage curtain on sale for a tenner in a charity shop, I knew exactly what I was going to do with it. I had a family wedding to attend in the summer, so I found a pattern I liked, altered it to my measurements, and painstakingly cut each piece to pattern match at the seams.
"I was so happy with the outcome, I felt amazing in it, and shocked family members when I told them what it was made out of.
“Now every time I go charity shopping, I go straight to the curtain and bedding section; it’s part of my sustainability efforts, and I genuinely enjoy the process of never knowing what I’m going to find - inspiration is everywhere.”
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Skincare brand Sudocrem launched the awards in support of the growing move towards sustainable second-hand buying.
Brogan Sommerville, 2022 finalist on The Great British Sewing Bee and BBC Interior Design Masters runner-up, Jack Kinsey, made up the judging panel.
Amira Seffar, marketing manager for Sudocrem, said: “We wanted to celebrate the people and places who fly the flag for pre-loved fashion and give pre-loved clothes another moment in the spotlight.
“Sudocrem’s Great British Pre-Loved Awards is part of our ongoing commitment to encourage recycling and reusing and we are delighted to award Chamiah with the award for Best Young Professional Stylefluencer.”
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