BBC weather presenter Keeley Donovan will be the new face of Hull Fashion Week this year when she joins northern rapper Luke Chambers to co-host the grand finale.
Keeley, who comes from Tetney, near Grimsby, is known throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region for her regular appearances on BBC TV’s Look North local news programme.
Last year Keeley was given the chance to present her own show on BBC Radio Humberside, and she was also profiled in the Hull Daily Mail and The Journal as she told how flagship TV programmes such as Countryfile and The One Show are on her long-term wish-list.
The next challenge will be Hull Fashion Week, which is funded and organised by HullBID and runs from Saturday April 4 until Saturday April 11. Keeley admits that the starring role will enable her to indulge one of her great passions.
She said: “I have a bit of an addiction when it comes to shopping for clothes. I love fashion and the way a new outfit makes you feel, so when Hull fashion Week asked me to get involved I didn’t hesitate – I can’t wait to see all the different outfits and looks!”
Luke, a teacher who is better known as Nineties Boy, comes from Holderness and first made his mark on the big stage as the presenter of Hull Trinity Festival – also organised by HullBID – in 2013.
Last year was huge for Luke as he stepped up to the role of Hull Fashion Week host, repeated his Hull Trinity Festival success at the 2014 event and also released his own version of “Good Enough”, the hit single by 2013 Hull Trinity Festival headliners Dodgy.
Luke said: "Being part of Hull Fashion Week for a second year is fantastic! Hosting the event last year was one of my highlights of 2014 and I can't wait to do it again. It's another great opportunity for our City of Culture to show its creative side and I'm very proud to be involved."
Hull Fashion Week is now in its sixth year and is established as the region’s biggest style event, attracting thousands of people into the city centre from across the region.
The activity will begin on Saturday April 4 and will feature demonstrations and displays from large and small businesses operating in the fashion sector, including Hull’s three main shopping centres, the major department stores, independent clothing retailers, hair salons and beauty parlours.
New events this year will include a Young Designer of the Year competition, with various surprises in store for the grand finale, which will again take place in Hull City Hall on Saturday April 11.
Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, said: “The City Hall is the ideal venue and with so much space inside the building and outside in Queen Victoria Square we have the opportunity to close Hull Fashion Week with a fantastic festival of fashion and style.
“The event gets bigger and better every year and is really effective at attracting thousands of people into the city centre to support local businesses and to see for themselves the strength and creativity of Hull’s own fashion sector, from the big shopping centres and stores with national and international brands to the niche retailers with stunning clothes and accessories all made in Hull.”