SCHOOLCHILDREN have been so inspired by the UK’s first Yves Saint Laurent exhibition that they have become fashion designers themselves.

That’s after pupils from St Mary’s RC Primary School, in Barnard Castle, visited the exhibition at The Bowes Museum and decided to host their own fashion exhibition at school on Friday (October 2).

About 20 children in Year 3 and 4 got creative to design a range of dresses, shoes and hats for the event and even created their own programme for visiting parents who were greeted with refreshments including YSL-themed cakes and a dramatic backdrop of YSL music.

Class teacher, Lesley Box, said she was very proud of the children who had put a lot of effort into the event.

“We went to the Bowes Museum for a visit and have been inspired by that – all the children came back and did their own sketches and designs,” she said.

“It’s been absolutely fantastic especially because we’ve been using the skills across the curriculum in maths, design and arts and literacy.”

Mrs Box, along with teaching assistant, Tracey Tallentire, also praised the parents for getting involved and donating manikins to present the children’s dresses.

She added: “I’m so proud and just amazed at how unique each design is – they have been so inspired and have been doing designs at home so we definitely have a few designers to look out for.”