When a group of overseas visitors, resplendent in snowdrop embellished outfits, visited the Snowdrop Festival in 2022 a germ of an idea was formed. Angela Morley, artist, wild garden designer and horticultural advisor to the Festival, bought a black cardigan from a charity shop and began to embroider. With the work half finished she encouraged others in the community to transform coats, hats, jumpers … with embroidered snowdrops to wear at the next Snowdrop Festival.
Her vision captured the imagination of Granny Pat and artist, Bella Frey, and together they spread the word. What had begun as a simple idea soon turned into something far more ambitious. On holiday, slowly stitching the white flowers, the idea of a fashion show popped into Angela’s head:
“It was one of those light bulb moments. Perhaps the relaxing and contemplative effect of embroidery inspired me too; I thought, why be confined to embroidery? Why not upcycle clothes,
get creative and have fun!”
The early germ of an idea back in 2022 was turning into a much more extensive and exciting project. More people got involved; their talent, imagination and enthusiasm knew few bounds. With the help of Granny Pat and Bella Frey, friends were encouraged to be models, and makers found clothes in the back of their wardrobes to upcycle on the theme of snowdrops and the Festival theme of Nature Unbound.
Angela said:
“There was no budget. We called in favours from across the community and people rose to the occasion brilliantly. The fashion show took place at the Artbank, an arts venue housed in a former high street bank. There were twenty-five models, three of them under eighteen. The audience whooped and clapped and looked on in amazement at the intricate paper dresses, the sexy tablecloth outfit, scary scarecrows, a flamingo and so much more. The models were terrified about stepping onto the catwalk but felt sheer exhilaration once they’d done it.”
Shepton’s first Snowdrop Fashion Show was born.
After the success of the first Festival, the enthusiasm for the 2025 Fashion Show is palpable. Wearable art is an exciting direction the growing number of creative community designers are
pursuing.
There’s no cost to enter and everyone involved funds their own outfits. There is a strong emphasis on upcycling, recycling and using natural materials. The theme is nature or snowdrops and all abilities are encouraged to play a part; makers are encouraged to model their creations too, or to find a friend who will! The aim of the event is to be inclusive and fun and to encourage creativity. The theme of the Fashion Show follows that of the Snowdrop Festival which changes each year but is broadly about Nature. For 2025 the theme is ‘Treasures of Nature’. Proceeds from the fashion show go towards planting more snowdrops in Collett Park.
The 2025 Snowdrop Fashion Show takes place at 7.30pm on Saturday 15th February at St Paul’s School Hall, Shepton Mallet. Tickets are £5 and booking is via Eventbrite.