Some of the region's leading designers featured in a fashion show in Blackburn recently.

The La Mode 2002 private fashion event, held at Jan's Conference Centre, attracted over 250 people and aimed to portray the varied talents of designers based in the North.

Saimina J Virmani who organised the show told Asian Image: "We had a great response from the audience and I think it was about time we gave designers based locally the credit they deserve.

"We also raised over £200 for charity on the day. That money will go towards the Hashim Welfare Foundation, which is aiming to build a hospital in the Gujrat region of Pakistan."

"I would like to thank my family, Nadeem for doing all the choreography, the models and all the fashion houses for taking part."

Saimina is hoping to make this an annual event at Jan's Conference Centre in the hope of attracting more up and coming fashion designers.

Fashion designers featured in La Mode 2002 included, The Awesome collection by Ahsum Akhtar, Fasana -- the story of elegance by Bilal Iqbal, Fatima's Collection by Fatima Ravat, Habotai by Naseem Ibrahim and Saphade by Hajra and Feroza.