Making headlines in sustainable fashion

Celia Birchall, Class of 2018

“A garment can only be truly beautiful if it has been produced with integrity, from the ground all the way to the final stitch.”

For fashion designer Celia Birchall, creativity has always been about more than making beautiful clothes. It’s about craftsmanship, storytelling and creating garments with purpose. From discovering pattern cutting in the LEH Textiles room to launching her own sustainable fashion label and designing bespoke outfits for the winner of The Great British Bake Off, Celia has built a career rooted in creativity, courage and conscious design.

For Celia, sustainability isn’t an addition to good design, it’s fundamental to it. Inspired by designers and campaigners championing ethical fashion, she believes clothing should be created thoughtfully, treasured for years and made in ways that respect both people and the planet, “Creating with intention brings a very different kind of joy.”

Every garment she creates reflects that philosophy, combining beautiful craftsmanship with responsible production and timeless design. Her work demonstrates that creativity and ethics strengthen rather than compete with one another.

Discovering her passion at LEH

Some careers begin with a clear plan. For Celia, it began with curiosity. Countless hours spent in the Textiles department at LEH sparked a fascination with how garments were constructed. Lessons became opportunities to experiment, question and create, while inspiring teachers encouraged her to think beyond the finished piece and understand the craftsmanship behind it.

“I loved Textiles at LEH so much that I started taking clothes apart at home just to see how they were made, and then I tried to put them back together myself.”

Art lessons deepened that passion further, introducing her to beautiful fabrics, vintage prints and the stories that textiles can tell, “Working with those beautiful vintage prints sparked my love of textiles and the stories they carry.”

Those early experiences planted the seeds for a career that would combine artistry with purpose.

Two friends laugh together outside a doorway, one bald wearing a green dress and the other in a blue sleeveless dress.

From LEH classroom to perfect career

After leaving LEH, Celia completed an Art and Design Foundation course at Kingston University before studying Fashion Design at Edinburgh University.

Like many graduates, her journey wasn’t a straight line. Returning home to the Cotswolds after university, she balanced three part-time jobs across design, marketing and hospitality, gaining invaluable experience while discovering what kind of designer she wanted to become, “It was full-on, but I learned so much about start-ups and discovered what I was truly passionate about in fashion.”

Eighteen months later, she took the leap and launched her own label.

Founded in 2023, Celia Birchall creates bespoke garments using natural fibres and locally sourced textiles, with sustainability and craftsmanship at the heart of every design.

One of her proudest moments came when she designed two bespoke outfits for Jasmine, winner of The Great British Bake Off, guiding each piece from initial concept through to the final fitting.

Alongside these high-profile commissions, creating bridal gowns and deeply personal pieces for clients continues to remind her why she loves her work.

An LEH education goes beyond the syllabus

While technical skills opened the door to fashion, Celia believes LEH gave her something even more valuable: the confidence to pursue an unconventional career. Choosing to build an independent fashion business requires resilience, creativity and the willingness to take risks.

“There is a real culture of bravery at LEH, and it is something I rely on all the time.”

That confidence has allowed her to trust her instincts, embrace opportunities and build a business that reflects her own values rather than following industry trends.

Hand holding up a brown textured handbag outdoors on a city street with trees in the background.

Fearless Futures

What would Celia’s advice be to current LEH students?

Stay true to your values and don’t be afraid to forge your own path.

Success doesn’t come from following trends, it comes from creating work that genuinely reflects who you are. Whether you’re designing clothes, starting a business or exploring a new idea, courage, curiosity and integrity will take you further than perfection ever could.

“Creating with intention brings a very different kind of joy.”