Swapping the Countryside for the Catwalk

Countryfile presenter Anita Rani is to take to the catwalk at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show, swapping her wellies for something a little more stylish.

Bradford-born Anita, who has also fronted Watchdog, This Morning and was a huge hit on Strictly Come Dancing, will be one of the celebrities in the fashion show which will this year be named the “Kuoni Catwalk” thanks to support by luxury travel company, Kuoni.

This will be the 160th Great Yorkshire Show which isone of the biggest agricultural shows in England, attracting more than 100,000 visitors and 8,000 animals competing for a host of prestigious titles. But away from the judging rings is a very different event – a fashion show – which will include some of the latest country wear fashions and high-end new designs.

The Kuoni Catwalk will be held each day and there will be a one-off celebrity special starring Anita Rani and a host of local television personalities at 2:30pm on Tuesday July 10th.

Kuoni are in the John Lewis store in Leeds, and Anita will be dressed by the personal styling team there. Audiences will get a sneak preview of the new John Lewis autumn winter 2018 collection on the catwalk, before it goes on sale in the stores later in the year.

Rachel O’Reilly, from Kuoni says; “With twenty-five travel experts in Yorkshire knowing which holiday destinations are on trend is what we’re all about so this is a great opportunity to put our brand centre stage at one of the country’s biggest and most popular events. Our aim is to help people get inspired about the latest fashions and what to wear where.”

Anita, who comes from Bradford, says; “As a proud Yorkshire lass I am really looking forward to being part of the Great Yorkshire Show and swapping the wellies I often wear on Countryfile for something a little more stylish! I loved some of the outfits on Strictly and although I’m a little nervous about being on a catwalk, it’s feels very glamorous to be showing off some of the latest fashion trends.”

Yorkshire-based tailors, Brook Taverner will be showcasing their now famous Yorkshire Agricultural Society jackets made from Great Yorkshire tweed woven by another Yorkshire firm, Abraham Moon & Sons.

Charles Mills, Show Director says: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Anita Rani to the Great Yorkshire Show and to have Kuoni’s support for the fashion show. There’s so much going on all over the 250 acres of the showground throughout the three days and the Kuoni Catwalk shows it’s not just about farming life and animals, there really is something for everyone.”

The show will be co-ordinated by Bernadette Gledhill of Morton Geldhill and backstage the hair and make-up with be styled by students from the White Rose Beauty Colleges from across Yorkshire.

All the action from the Kuoni Catwalk will be on Twitter @greatyorkshow #KuoniCatwalk #GYSfashion

Before going onto the Kuoni Catwalk at 2.30pm on Tuesday 10th July, Anita will be in the Great Yorkshire Show kitchen where a celebrity chef will be cooking up her favourite dish and Anita will be taking questions from the audience.

The 160th Great Yorkshire Show will be held on 10th to the 12th July this year at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate and the Kuoni Catwalk will take place each day at 11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 4pm.