Bradford didn’t just host a fashion show on Sunday night; it lived a moment of history. Threads of Grace: Power of You lit up the gardens of Cartwright Hall with colour, music, and stories, becoming the city’s first-ever outdoor fashion show.
After July’s cancellation due to torrential rain, anticipation was sky-high. This time, the skies cleared, the summer evening stayed warm, and the community came out in full force. Families spilled across Lister Park with food, drinks, and children dancing on the grass, ready to witness something unforgettable. By the end of the night, with cheers echoing through the park and a dazzling light show bouncing off Cartwright Hall, it was clear: Bradford had staged more than an event; it had staged a celebration of identity, resilience, and pride.
Fashion with purpose
What set this show apart was its heart. Every model on the runway carried more than fabric; they carried stories. Community champions, local leaders, and men and women overcoming illness or injury took to the catwalk, styled in outfits that reflected their strength, culture, and individuality. Each walk was a story of courage, woven into couture.
Design houses, including Bombay Stores, IK Collection, and Meenal’s by Meenal Official and Shiffonz, delivered show-stopping collections. From intricate bridal ensembles to bold, modern couture, the outfits blended tradition and innovation. Bradford’s own Bombay Stores was at the heart of it all. Their vision brought local heritage to the stage, ensuring the show didn’t just showcase fashion but celebrated the city’s diversity in full colour.
Sidra Kader from Bombay Stores said: The show was unique, Bradford has never had an outdoor fashion show before, and it was amazing to be part of it. What I loved most was how the outfits reflected each model’s personality. This wasn’t just about brides and grooms, but about everyone, and it felt like giving back to the community.”
Music, dance, and spectacle
The music stitched the evening together. Ali Hashim and Kayam Hussain, trained by their father Shahbaz Hussain, one of Europe’s finest tabla players, mesmerised the audience, their rhythms pulsing through each stride on the runway. Then Desi Nach brought an explosion of energy, drawing the crowd into the performance and reminding everyone that this was as much a celebration as a show.
As our final model, our very own Editor Fatima Patel and the lady behind the voice and spirit of this show, walked, the night erupted in applause, and then the lights began. A stunning display illuminated Cartwright Hall, painting the building in shifting colours and leaving families wide-eyed. It was a finale that matched the evening: bold, beautiful, and unforgettable.
Community spirit and charity at the heart
Yet the night was never just about glamour. At its core, Threads of Grace was about giving back. Every £10 ticket helped raise vital funds for Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice and Ovacome, the ovarian cancer charity.
“First of all, I want to thank Asian Standard and Fatima for choosing us as one of the charities. The children’s hospice sector is going through such a difficult time, so this support means a lot. Every pound raised will go a long way in helping the families and children who use our facilities, from hydro pool sessions to respite, sensory rooms, and day trips. The show itself was breathtaking. I was blown away by the garments, the courage of the real people models, and how naturally they owned the catwalk despite having not done this before. Each person brought their story with confidence, and that was inspiring to see. Honestly, the whole evening was just ‘wow.’” — Masood Ahmed, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice
Behind the scenes, community support made the event possible. Local favourites like Prashad Restaurant, My Skyn Clinic, and Akbars stepped up as sponsors. And for the first time, First Bus came on board as our sponsor. Their sponsorship tied in perfectly with the South Asian Heritage Month theme of Roots to Routes, showing how even the city’s everyday services are part of Bradford’s wider story of culture and connection.
“It was fantastic, a really spectacular event that delivered a great sense of community. At First Bus, we thrive on inclusion and diversity, and the show certainly reflected that. What stood out most for me was how inclusive the environment felt and how empowered the everyday people who took part in the catwalk were. That message came through so strongly.” Mubs Mahmed BEM, Community and Social Value Partner, First Bus.
Beauty behind the scenes
While the collections shone, so did the artistry that made them runway ready. Bradford’s own Faima Khan led the makeup team, ensuring every model’s individuality came through. From subtle natural looks to bold bridal glamour, her work tied together the diverse styles with elegance and care.
A new chapter for Bradford fashion
As the evening wound down, a sense of pride lingered in the air. Bradford has long been known for creativity and culture, but this was a new chapter, the first-time fashion took centre stage in the city’s open air.
The crowd’s energy spoke volumes. Strangers became friends, families cheered loudly, and children twirled to tabla beats long after the show ended. The theme Power of You resonated deeply: fashion here wasn’t about perfection but about people, their scars, their courage, and their joy.
Dr Uzma Qureshi, My Skyn Clinic summed it up best: “It was an amazing event which truly showcased and highlighted the voices of Bradford. I loved seeing so many diverse people come together, not only to celebrate fashion but to support the charities at the heart of the show.”
A catwalk to remember
By the time the final lights faded, one truth was undeniable: Bradford had made history. Threads of Grace: Power of You wasn’t just a fashion show. It was a love letter to the city’s resilience, a showcase of cultural confidence, and a reminder of what happens when communities come together.
It was Bradford at its best: vibrant, united, and unforgettable.
