Published: Friday, 24th April, 2009 7:30am

Style queen bids to give old pavilion a fashion makeover

AN AUDACIOUS bid to transform Winterfield Park"s long-mothballed pavilion into a chic fashion hub is being launched by a celebrated Dunbar designer.

Jacqui Burke, 44, was a regular contributor to London Fashion Week in the 1990s and routinely exhibited her work in Japan and Germany. She achieved international acclaim for her innovative and original creations and counted US singers Cher and Gloria Estefan among her clientele.

But since 1998, Jacqui has taken a back seat from the champagne lifestyle of the fashion industry and concentrated on bringing up her young family in Castle Street, Dunbar.

And now the renowned fashionista has designs on one of her favourite Dunbar landmarks.

If she can drum up sufficient public support, Jacqui intends to breathe new life in to dilapidated council-owned Winterfield Pavilion by revamping the building to house a unique "fashion school".

It would combine high quality fashion design training with a social enterprise programme providing adult education classes, and interacting with local schools and offering courses to vulnerable or disadvantaged individuals.

'Winterfield is just so inspiring,' said Jacqui, who has teamed up with East Lothian Council"s economic development department for funding advice and support.

'I have always been inspired by the rugged beauty of Dunbar and Winterfield, which has been shown in all my collections. I did well from Winterfield and I want to do well from Winterfield again.

'We can"t bring the fashion people from London to Dunbar but we can send what we create to London Fashion Week. I definitely think we could be showing there in the next three years.'

At the end of each season, Jacqui also intends to organise a fashion carnival on Dunbar High Street, with a grand parade consisting of a mobile catwalk and floats, showcasing the work achieved within the school.

It is estimated that £200,000 would be required to ensure Winterfield Pavilion was water-tight and habitable. Sources of funding are being investigated.

Dunbar Community Council unanimously pledged 100 per cent support for the venture following a presentation by Jacqui at Monday"s meeting.

A meeting to canvass public support for the proposal takes place at Hallhill Healthy Living Centre on Wednesday from 7.30pm.