AN ILKLEY hair stylist has been working alongside top industry experts after being picked to help out at Graduate Fashion Week.

Holly Wilkinson found herself at the forefront of fashion when she was invited to showcase her session skills as part of the L’Oréal Professionnel Portfolio Session Team.

The annual four-day fashion extravaganza, sees more than 30,000 guests flock to London to enjoy 22 catwalk shows, representing more than 40 of the UK’s leading design universities and celebrating the very best of new creative talent. Working as one of 25 young Portfolio Artists as part of the L’Oréal Professionnel team, Holly helped to shape styles for the prestigious event.

Now in its 26th year, Graduate Fashion Week provides the opportunity to work alongside some of the leading stylists in the country. Working backstage at the event is said to be one of the most sought after opportunities for a young hairdresser.

Holly works for Westrow, which boasts ten salons across the county and an educational academy in Leeds.

Westrow Director Steve Rowbottom, said: "We were thrilled that Holly worked alongside the L’Oréal Professionnel team at Graduate Fashion Week. We always put forward key stylists for events of this nature so they can experience the backstage buzz of catwalk shows and working in such a fast-paced environment. It allows them to enhance their session skills and to bring back a wealth of knowledge to the salons."