GIFTED Pippa Longhurst received the backing of a Strictly star after creating an amazing Help for Heroes dress.
The 16-year-old student at Colchester’s St Mary’s School was inspired by the 51 soldier sculptures in Mersea and Peldon.
They represent men who lost their lives in the First World War and were created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Great War.
Pippa, a keen sewer and photographer, designed the gorgeous garment as part of her Cambridge International (CiE) fashion and textiles course - only for pictures of it to go viral after a tweet from proud dad Guy.
Former Strictly Come Dancing star JJ Chalmers, a patron of Help for Heroes, was among those to be wowed and described the dress as “amazing”.
Lest we forget - Pippa Longhurst's dress was inspired by the 51 soldier sculptures in Mersea and Peldon
Pippa said: “I go past those sculptures all the time and like to photograph them, as they’re powerful images.
“They, and the fact Colchester has such strong links to the armed forces, were the things that inspired my design.
“I wanted to give something back to the military and what they do for us so researched Help for Heroes and matched their brand colours in the fabric.
“Then I used printouts of the actual statues to create the images at the bottom of the skirt and added some military medals.
“The look is finished off with a poppy on my arm.”
Looking the part - Pippa Longhurst dons her Help for Heroes dress
The dress, which Pippa created across 15 weeks at school, has a top made from chiffon and skirt made from manmade silk.
Her GCSE brief was to create either a film-related or promotional item of clothing.
Unfortunately, due to the impact of Covid on exams, the dress will not be taken into consideration for her final GCSE marks.
However, Pippa, from Lamarsh, was able to show off her unusual handiwork at St Mary’s School bi-annual fashion show, in front of a smaller than usual audience due to the pandemic.
She added: “It was fun to take part and wear it on the catwalk.
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“With that and the attention on social media that I just wasn’t expecting, it’s given me a big boost.
“I would definitely like to do something with the dress now and am talking to Help for Heroes about how we might be able to use it to help build awareness of the charity.”
Pippa hopes to study textiles and photography for art A level in September and has an eye on a creative career after school.
Hilary Vipond, the principal at St Mary’s School, said: “We’re extremely proud of how hard Pippa has worked as she explored and developed her creative idea for her CiE Fashion and Textiles O Level, including the subtle military links and demonstrating her technical ability to produce such a beautiful garment. Textiles is a hugely valued part of the brilliantly balanced education provided at St Mary’s.
“It’s wonderful that Pippa chose to promote the work that Help for Heroes does for wounded veterans and their families and, being a military town, the Army is important to Colchester and its communities.”
Tanya Ingleton, head of trading at Help for Heroes, added: “Pippa’s dress is amazing and her design and sewing skills are self-evident.
“However, what is also wonderful is to see a young person taking such interest and inspiration from veterans who have sacrificed so much for their country.
“She really is a sewing superstar.”
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