The talents of a former St Ninian’s High School pupil have been recognised in front of global fashion icons, including Donatella Versace and Rihanna.

Bethany Williams, a pioneering fashion designer from Douglas, stood shoulder to shoulder with singers Rita Ora and Liam Payne after collecting the award for ’British Emerging Talent - Meanswear’ from them at the British Fashion Awards 2019.

The world famous event took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London, with Bethany being named as a winner on Tuesday.

The prestigious award recognised her collections’ ’innovation and creative influence’, which have ’gained international attention this year’.

The 29-year-old is committed to seeking social and environmental change through her label, which launched in 2017.

She said that the art course at University College Isle of Man had been a valuable starting block on beginning her career.

Her aim is to bring positive social change by working alongside disadvantaged people and using 100% recycled materials.

At the awards, she sported a striking denim jumpsuit that was handwoven with recycled materials by her brand ’Bethany Williams’.

As part of her work, she has collaborated with the Vauxhall Food Bank and the Mobile Library Charity and based one of her collections on Adelaide House - a women’s shelter in Liverpool that supports those leaving prison, facing domestic abuse or homelessness.

Her label has provided job and modelling opportunities for women at the shelter.

Keeping close ties with the island, adornments for her designs have been made at the Manx Workshop for the Disabled in Douglas, which helps people with physical or mental disabilities find work opportunities.

A number of her designs have also been hand-made by people who are part of the San Patrignano drug rehabilitation programme in Italy.

Textiles for her stand-out pieces include second-hand denim, hand-woven materials and other recycled and organic materials.

A percentage of profits made by sales also goes towards charitable causes.

In February this year, Bethany became the second-ever recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for Design at London Fashion Week.

The award was presented to her in London by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

The Duchess said: ’She brings ideas and people together and puts change for the good at the heart of her business.’