Fashion designers and aspiring models are being sought for an upcoming festival celebrating south Asian cultures.

The annual Waltham Forest Mela will showcase traditional and modern music, dance and circus acts.

The festival on Sunday, August 6 will carry the theme of ‘Asian fusion’ and will feature a fashion show for the very first time.

Show Producer Gina Hewitt, who has worked at London Fashion Week shows, said she wants to give local designers a chance to show off their creations.

Ms Hewitt said: “The aim of the catwalk show is to showcase the wide array of talent that Waltham Forest has to offer.

“There is such a rich range of influences and style in the borough which we wanted to combine together to celebrate the Mela’s theme of Asian Fusion.

“One of the first designers that we approached was Mani Kohli who runs the massively successful Khubsoorat brand and has been based in east London for her whole 30-year career.

“Her haute couture bridal and occasion wear is world-renowned and we are very honoured to have her garments feature in the show finale.”

Ms Hewitt is encouraging designers in the borough to sign-up to take part, whether they have established labels or shops or are emerging in the field of fashion. Models of all ages, shapes and sizes are also needed for the show.

The festival will also include sports and music workshops, a fun fair, live entertainment and food stalls.

A pop-up exhibition celebrating the borough’s diversity in art has been organised by Mehraj Art.

‘Millen’ which means ‘union’ in Hindi, will feature artwork and costumes from a range of Asian cultures.

The Mela festival will run from 2pm to 8pm in Chesnuts Field at Walthamstow Town Hall. Entry is free and no alcohol is permitted on site.

For information on how to take part in the fashion show visit https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/content/mela