A university student showed off her woolly idea to royal approval, writes Ellen Harper.

University of Brighton student Emma Brooks dressed in a fisherman’s jumper for an audience with the Prince of Wales.

The 21-year-old, who is studying textile design for fashion with business studies at the University of Brighton, designed and created the woolly garment.

It won top prize in a contest run by The Campaign for Wool, launched in 2010 to educate consumers about wool products and to support the industry.

 

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So Emma donned the jumper when she was invited to Clarence House to meet Prince Charles, patron of the campaign.

She said: “The Prince of Wales chatted about the competition and the wool industry – he was very knowledgeable on the subject.”

Emma claims her inspiration for the jumper came from traditional Guernseys worn by fishermen, giving wives unique patterns so their husbands could be identified at sea.

Emma, who is interning this year with John Rocha in Dublin and Donna Karan in New York, said opportunities which have arisen after winning The Campaign for Wool competition have been “highly valuable”.

Her prize was, with assistance from British designer Margaret,watching the garment being hand-knitted into 25 limited edition jumpers.