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FASHION PRINCE: Stephen Arthur

A YOUNG designer who wowed Britain with his award winning sell-out party frock is about to unveil his new collection at a glittering catwalk event in Birmingham.

Teacher Stephen Arthur turned heads across the UK last year after winning ITV’s This Morning’s ‘perfect party dress’ competition, scooping 40 per cent of viewers’ votes in the contest.

His stunning red gown with shades of Hollywood glamour was snapped up by John Lewis and sold out at selected stores and online.

Securing sponsorship from Belvedere Vodka and with Channel 4 filming the event, his new collection show will be held at the prestigious Vaults in the Jewellery Quarter.

FANCY DRESS: Arthur and a model wearing his creation

Guests will have the unique opportunity to buy from the new autumn/winter collection at the event with an on-site pop-up store.

It is a design dream come true for Arthur, from Birmingham, who has now quit his job as an IT teacher to concentrate on building up his own fashion design business.

He hopes one day to have his own store and own label.

The designer learned how to create clothes by watching his mum, a talented seamstress who encouraged him to enter the ITV competition.

With no formal training, Arthur admits to sketching out some of his designs on “bits of paper in the pub.”

But he was gradually whittled down to the final three designers in the competition from more than 500 hopefuls. His winning gown was launched at John Lewis in Solihull’s Touchwood shopping centre in time for Christmas last year.