A PROMISING North East student has found her ‘Voice’ after securing a placement with a designer to one of the country’s top TV talent judges.

Cleveland College of Art & Design graduate Charlotte Wood will work alongside Georgia Hardinge, creator of pop princess Jessie J’s launch outfit for the Voice, as part of her prize for winning the Clothes Show Young Designer of the Year.

Charlotte, 18, of Redcar, beat more than 50,000 entries from across the country, to carry off the coveted title, including third year students from some of the country’s most prestigious fashion degree courses.

“It’s incredible to get the opportunity to work alongside someone like Georgia,” said Charlotte.

“She is so current in the world of fashion and as well as Jessie J, designs for A list superstars including Lady Ga Ga and Beyonce.”

Following her success Charlotte has also been short-listed for student of the year at the National BTEC Awards and has secured a scholarship to study a degree in fashion design at the University of Westminster.

“It’s still all sinking in,” said Charlotte. “Moving away to London is quite daunting but I’m really excited. Coming to The Northern School of Art was the best thing I could have done.

“The tutors here have given me the most incredible foundation to my career in fashion, from technical skills to work ethic and resilience; they have really given me the edge and helped me to achieve so much.”

Extended Diploma in Fashion & Clothing Course Leader Naomi Austin, who nominated Charlotte for the National BTEC Awards, added: “Charlotte has turned out to be one of our most outstanding students and has surpassed a lot of our extremely high expectations.

“She is a real hidden gem and goes to prove what a hot bed of talent we have here at CCAD. Next year we have at least six students who we feel are capable of following in her footsteps by entering the Clothes Show competition, and I hope that they have been inspired by her success.

“Charlotte’s scholarship is totally deserved. The University of Westminster only chooses the best students and hopefully Charlotte can go on to emulate the success of one of our former Extended Diploma Fashion & Clothing graduates Claire Barrow, who is in her final year there and who is now designing for Rihanna.”

Charlotte’s winning designs will be among hundreds of exhibits on display at The Northern School of Art’s free annual summer show, from June 7-13, at its Green Lane campus, Middlesbrough.

The exhibitions are a culmination of years of work by top young designers and artists, will display ceramics, photography, 3D design, painting, drawing, illustration, fashion, textiles, digital arts, graphics, interactive media and fine art.

For more details on any of The Northern School of Art courses contact (01642) 288888. For details of exhibition opening times see The Northern School of Art’s website at www.ccad.ac.uk