Meet our brilliant team
Caroline Gration, MA, Director
I was a very arty kid who loved style, but I couldn’t sew, and this frustrated me as I couldn’t manifest all of the designs I drew onto paper. Subsequently, I thought I could never be part of the fashion world I dreamed about.
The Fashion School is now 10+ years old, and my passion is based on my experience as a little girl. The concept danced around in my head for 10 years prior to opening in the back of my flat, while I worked within the industry as a designer, illustrator, design production manager, and consultant. My career spans over 35 years, plus another 6 years of education. Yep, that long! Much of that time was also spent as a senior and visiting fashion lecturer. I enjoyed the mix of industry and education and brought this ethos to the Fashion School. Creativity! Skills! Knowledge!
My children are both very grown up: Betty is a haematologist, and Céleste is a graphic designer at The Financial Times. I’ve always felt at my happiest now that they’ve grown, surrounded by the laughter of your children and teenagers as they build upon their skills, learning to sew, pattern cut, and make their sustainable ideas a reality. They help steer my ideas as we move forward together. Fashion means something different to each of your glorious young creatives, and I celebrate their individuality. Thanks to you, I have the best job ever.
We're always on the lookout for talented tutors to run our classes and workshops in Manchester. If you have a degree in Fashion/Textile Design and some experience teaching children, we would love to hear from you!
Led by Monica
Monica
Tutor
Hi everyone, I'm Monica, one of the tutors at the fashion school, Manchester. I have been at the fashion school since the very first workshop and have loved being a part of our wonderful community ever since.
Alongside working at the fashion school, I work as a design assistant at a fashion wholesale here in Manchester. I am also currently studying fashion at Bolton university. I hope to see you sometime soon to make something incredible.
Helen
Tutor (BA Hons)
Hi, my name's Helen and I am a sustainable freelancer Designer and educator. I graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a BA Honours degree in Fashion Design & Technology.
Since then, I have worked in various roles within the industry, from manufacturing in Manchester in the early 2000s, Design work for independent brands, freelance CAD roles and leading sewing workshops. All before deciding to pass on my knowledge and experience through teaching in 2017. Firstly, at Manchester colleges, then onto University education.
Sustainability has and always will be at the core of everything I do in fashion, and this led me to working for The Fashion School. I completely understood and connected with the ideas and vision The Fashion School creates. I have always said "you cannot design anything, if you do not know how to make it". I love being able to pass on fundamental skills in pattern cutting, sewing, design, illustration and much more in the creative and exciting environment the fashion school provides. I feel like I am doing my part for the future generation of fashion
More fantastic tutors & assistants in Manchester
Katie
Tutor
I am a student in my final year of Uni studying Fashion Design. I love to be creative in all aspects of my life. When I am not sewing or designing I am on my roller skates performing or skating with MC Jamskate. I am part of the committee and we help organise workshops and events such as roller discos and meets. Before Uni, I started my own clothing brand Nothing But Love Clothing. This started off as reworking vintage clothes and giving them a new purpose in life. I then branched off into festival accessories which was really fun to do.
I love being a tutor at the Fashion School as it allows me to pass on my knowledge to the children and I get to watch them express themselves individually. It has been amazing to watch the students find their own style and niche whilst attending classes.
Lucy
Tutor (BA Hons)
I am a multi-disciplined designer, pattern cutter and maker. I have over twenty years experience in the industry. I have previously launched and run my own ladieswear label, worked as a designer for a number of big brands and designed and created bridalwear. More recently, I have been teaching and tutoring my own classes and workshops and working in a college as a design tutor. I have a BA (Hons) degree in Fashion Design with Marketing, Manufacture and Promotion. I now love sharing my knowledge and expertise with enthusiastic teens and adults.
Remerah
Assistant
I am a fashion student, currently completing my level 3 qualification. I absolutely love and adore fashion! It’s my way of expressing myself through my garments sharing my experiences and struggles. It all started when I was around the age of 5, knitting with my grandma and then over the years I started developing my knowledge and skills in all aspects of the industry. I am always thinking about what’s next in fashion, by this I mean what is something no other designer has ever done before, how can I make the impossible possible. I love fabric manipulation because I like to see how far I could take a design using different techniques and media.
I love helping out at The Fashion School. It’s lovely seeing the children express themselves through their designs or garments that they produce in the classes. They are all so talented in their own way and they don’t even realise how good they are! The Fashion School allows me to share my knowledge and experiences with the children, watching them blossom in the classes as their knowledge of the construction of a garment develops.
Charlie
Tutor (BA Hons)
Hi, I'm Charlie and I have been a tutor since the summer of 2024. I love making it possible for the kids to create their ideas.
Born in rural Spain, I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer from a young age, even though it wasn't taught at school and no one around me spoke about fashion as a career. I was always doing fashion sketches and was so happy when my godmother taught me to sew when I was 10. I could finally start creating. This was the beginning of my journey, and I want to make this possible for others as well.
When I moved to the UK, my school offered fashion and textiles, I then focused on this at college and studied fashion design and technology at Manchester Metropolitan University. In my 3rd year of University, I took a placement year and got to work for one of my favourite designers Iris Van Herpen in Amsterdam. This experience was the most transformative for my career and allowed me to push myself in my final year of uni. My final collection was awarded Best in Show in Graduate Fashion Week and I decided to start my brand in partnership with my fiance when I graduated in 2022. Something I always knew I wanted to do although not at this early stage, but with my final collection as a starting point I thought what better time than now. Our brand Belladonis creates one-off custom outfits that celebrate the queer community. It has allowed us to work on some exciting pieces including items for Drag Race.