A former Muslim will showcase her own fashion label, 'Saviour Clothing', at the Northern Christian Resources Exhibition later this month (Oct 19 to 21, Yorkshire Events Centre, Harrogate).
Six years ago, Inshana Hulton was arranged to be married at the age of 16 to her 49-year-old cousin. But on the eve of their wedding, her aunt snuck her out through a bedroom window.
Now 22 and a Christian, Hulton testifies that her life has changed since then.
"My parents divorced when I was 10," she recalls. "This was seen as a great shame and dishonour to my family. My uncles arranged for me to marry my cousin to restore my family's honour. It was an enforced marriage and I was rescued by an aunt who was a Christian. I climbed out of my bedroom window, to embark on a new life in Manchester - with a new name and identity."
Now Inshana, who studied for a fashion degree at Salford University, has designed a range of clothes communicating that "Jesus is relevant to the 21st century and Christianity is fresh and exciting."
She believes creativity is a gift from God and wants to design clothes "that honour him". Her hope is that Saviour Clothing becomes an established Christian brand, much the same as mainstream fashion brands.
"My inspiration can come from things you wouldn't necessarily connect with Christianity," she explains. "I pray if I feel stuck. I often feel full of inspiration after reading a particularly encouraging piece of Scripture."
Alongside Inshana's t-shirts, a collection of vestments, choir gowns and Christian urban and skater wear will be on display at Faith 'n' Fashion, a unique catwalk show on the first day of the Northern CRE (12.30pm, Thur 19 Oct).
"Our aim is to present a positive response to some of the negative aspects of the fashion industry," explains CRE marketing executive Joy Gilmour. "At the heart of it, we want to encourage people to use their buying power to speak up for those who have no voice."
