Youngsters have been on the catwalk to show off their fashion designs in public at a special exhibition of their work in London’s East End.

The event at Poplar’s Spotlight youth centre in Langdon Park was the result of a six month project with leading costume designer Lesley Ford.

The education programme was aimed at helping youngsters learn the skills to get into fashion design as a career, who created their own garments.

The teenagers looked at fabric, pattern, texture and technique to explore their own identities and artistic voices.

They now have their work exhibited at the Dulwich Picture Gallery for the next five weeks.

“I didn’t know how to sew before,” one youngster taking part, Gary Berki, admitted. “Now I’ve got more confident, definitely.

“I’m excited having my designs displayed in the gallery and having the public come and see it.

“I feel like I’m famous with my work on public show!”

The catwalk fashion show resulted from the gallery’s collection of Baroque portrait paintings and visits to the V&A museum and the London College of Fashion.