MP receives damehood in outfit designed by student

5 days ago

Evie LakeNorth East and Cumbria

News image — Dame Chi Onwurah's outfit was designed by Newcastle College University Centre master's student Lamin Gibba

Mark Savage/Newcastle College Chi Onwurah wearing a black and white, almost tiger-print suit jacket over a black top. She is wearing a small black hat with a strip of fabric and two orange and green circles. She is smiling into the camera and standing to the right of Lamin Gibba who has pink hair and is wearing a denim jacket. He is also smiling into the camera — Dame Chi Onwurah's outfit was designed by Newcastle College University Centre master's student Lamin Gibba

An MP accepted her damehood in an outfit designed by a local fashion student.

Dame Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle Central and West, was named in the King's Birthday Honours in recognition of her work for communities in the North East.

Dame Chi's black and white suit, which she wore at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, was designed by Newcastle College University Centre student Lamin Gibba, to represent her Geordie, Irish and Nigerian heritage.

Gibba, originally from Gambia but who now lives in Heaton, said it was "an honour" to be asked to design the outfit and called it the highlight of his career so far.

Inspiration for the suit was taken from West African fabric and the famous colours of Newcastle United.

The mini trilby, designed by Margaret Woodliff Wright, also uses the black and white fabric as a band with an additional feature of West African green and orange beads, taking colour inspiration from the Irish flag.

Gibba, who is studying an MA in creative and professional practice, worked with Dame Chi for eight months to help design and create the outfit alongside his supervisors.

Chi Onwurah A slightly blurry photo of Dame Chi holding her damehood medal in the grounds of Windsor Castle. She is wearing the same black and white outfit and has a big smile on her face. The medal has a red bit of material attached to it. — Dame Chi accepted her damehood on Tuesday during a ceremony at Windsor Castle

"I moved from my native Gambia to Newcastle to better my chances in life," Gibba said.

"I've always had an interest in fashion ever since I spent time in my aunt's fasion and tailoring shop back home."

Dame Chi attended the launch of Gibba's fashion brand, Jerry J Clothing, at the Boiler Shop in Newcastle in June 2024.

"To be asked to design Chi's outfit for her ceremony is both an honour and a highlight of my career."

The outfit was completed by a Tyneside Irish Brigade Cap Badge, given to the MP by the chair of the Tyneside Irish Brigade Association.

Mark Savage/Newcastle College A vertical image of Chi Onwurah wearing a black and white, almost tiger-print suit jacket over a black top. She is wearing a small black hat with a strip of fabric and two orange and green circles. She is smiling into the camera and standing to the right of Lamin Gibba who has pink hair and is wearing a denim jacket and denim trousers. He is also smiling into the camera. — Lamin Gibba said it was "an honour" to design Dame Chi's outfit

On receiving the honour, Dame Chi said: "Growing up as the only black family on a council estate in north Newcastle - female, in a one-parent household, on benefits, with a disabled mother - I never imagined I'd one day be called a Dame.

"I accept it on behalf of my constituents, who have placed their trust in me time and again.

"The North East is not honoured enough, despite the extraordinary work happening across our communities, and I hope this recognition helps shine a light on that."

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