TWELVE textiles students have turned rags to riches, taking items of unclaimed lost property from a Hereford nightclub and making them into clothes for a fashion show.

The outfits, made up from clothes left behind at The Jailhouse, were then auctioned off to raise money for Bill’s Bills, a charity which supports local toddler Bill Symonds who was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Tom Farmer, Harrie Fuller, Chloe Taylor, Olivia Milburn, Olivia Easton, Lilian Sutton, Lottie Mallen-Wallace, Brogan Jones, Megan Harrison and Lucy Kramer were responsible for the creations.

The Hereford College of Arts students reinvented the leftovers to produce new garments and accessories, which were then modelled by performing arts students.

The show was organised by Zara Williams, who also produced various items.

She said: “It was a massive challenge but we really enjoyed it and loved being able to do something to help Bill.

“He came to see us before the show with his parents, Lee and Kate, and that was amazing”

Approaching her final few projects on the Extended Diploma in Art and Design, Ms Williams is expected to receive a double distinction and continue at HCA to study for a BA in Textile Design.

Her accomplishments have come while dealing with with Erbs Palsy, which completely limits the mobility in her right arm, and having initially dropped out of college, before returning to complete her third year.

“Zara is incredibly modest, but the scale of her achievement is inspirational,” said Angelina Mouyiaris, her tutor on the course.

“The standard of her work is fantastic, and to enter the world of textile design in spite of those difficulties and to excel in the way she has is fantastic.”

Ms Williams has created an emotive sculptural fabric installation as her final piece for the HCA Summer Show; to be held at the Folly Lane Campus from June 14-21.

Zara said: “It’s taken a while for me to establish myself in my work.

“I had a year out, and after doing various jobs I didn’t enjoy, I knew I wanted to come back and try again.

“The College was supportive and after completing previous work, I was able to come back and start my second year again.”

Visit hca.ac.uk for full details of the show’s events, and the courses on offer at HCA.