University Law student bringing high fashion to Cheshire with city centre event

Claire Namukolo Raven will once again lead this year’s Cheshire Fashion Week on October 17 and 18. The glamorous event, which will be held at Chester Cathedral and Chester Town Hall, brings together international designers and retailers to show their collections to hundreds of buyers, media and fashion enthusiasts.

The opening night features the Fashion Week Awards, to be addressed by the Lord Mayor of Chester Cllr Sherin Akhtar, followed by a fashion show presentation featuring international designers from the US, Portugal, France, and Nigeria, alongside innovative emerging British designers.

As well as running one of the biggest established fashion events in the UK outside of London, Claire is also studying a Bachelor of Laws with Honours at the University of Chester, and is grateful for the support shown by University staff to balance the two workloads.

CEO Claire said: "I am thrilled to be bringing Cheshire Fashion Week back this October. I would never have imagined being able to juggle running a rapidly growing national fashion week platform alongside my legal studies. However, the support I have received from tutors at the University of Chester, along with the mini-pupillage work experience I gained at Linenhall Chambers over the summer, has given me newfound confidence.

“Merging law and fashion is providing me with a solid foundation for organisation and critical thinking, which is surprisingly invaluable when producing an event of this scale or when pursuing a career as a solicitor or barrister. It’s a passion project that proves your degree can support your ambitions in unexpected ways.

“With Cheshire Fashion Week running alongside my studies, I show the ability to juggle tasks, leadership, and apply the rigorous discipline required to succeed in the legal sector in a completely different field."

Throughout her studies at the University of Chester, Claire is developing academic knowledge and practical skills that can be applied to real-world situations, such as strategic planning, advocacy, contract management, and meticulous organisation, which she finds useful in her role as director of a large-scale production.

Cheshire Fashion Week, founded in 2018, draws inspiration from the global ‘big four’ Fashion Week events of Milan, London, Paris and New York. The first event held in 2019 attracted over 300 people, with the 2021 event drawing in 600 visitors.

Dr Erin O'Leary, Head of Law at the University of Chester, said: “It’s genuinely inspiring to see how Claire, such a committed and thoughtful student, is making a real impact beyond her studies.

“At Chester Law School, we’re passionate about helping our students build practical skills they can carry into the legal world – and into their communities. Through placements, mooting, pro bono work, and learning alongside experienced practitioners, our students gain more than just legal knowledge – they grow in confidence and purpose. Seeing Claire already putting that into practice is something we’re truly proud of.”

For more information about Cheshire Fashion Week, and to purchase tickets, visit: https://cheshirefashionweek.com/.

For more information about studying Law at the University of Chester, visit: https://www.chester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/law/.  

Main image and Image 3: Cheshire Fashion Week will once again be attracting top designers and retailers from around the globe.

Image 2: Claire Namukolo Raven.