Dahraan’s flying high in fashion!

FASHION is her passion: Dahraan Abdullah

A future fashionista from Oldham College is making her designer dreams a reality after winning a prestigious competition

Dahraan Abdullah from Westwood scooped top prize at the Runway on the Runway prom dress competition with her Vogue-inspired design.

As part of the prize, the 17-year-old’s creation is ready to hit the rails as part of this year’s autumn/winter collection by fashion brand Little Mistress.

Dahraan, who is studying her first year of Fashion Level 3 BTEC, said winning the prize has pinned down her aim to be a designer.

The former Oldham Academy North pupil, who moved to Oldham from Somalia when she was nine, said: “I’ve loved fashion since I was a child, especially creating my own designs. I’ve always been very clear I wanted to be a fashion designer.

“I chose Oldham College because it had this particular fashion course and I’m aiming to go to university in Manchester to study fashion.”

Dahraan’s prom dress incorporates lace and see-through fabrics in a flattering peach and black lace colour scheme.

She beat tough competition to become one of three finalists - which also included Oldham Hulme Grammar School pupil Phoebe Dickson (15) - before being announced as a winner at a catwalk show underneath the Concorde at the Runway Visitor Centre at Manchester Airport.

All three finalists received a top of the range sewing machine. Dahraan will also receive the final version of her dress.

She said: “Attending the catwalk show and being on the guest list was a new experience. We had to walk the runway with our models and stand in a line at the end - which was really scary!”

Collette Costello, course leader for fashion at Oldham College, said: “I definitely thought one of my students would be a finalist because of the quality of their work. Her win has inspired the rest of the students.”

@BeatrizAyalaOC