A STUDENT who had clothes she spent a year researching and making stolen is being treated to the London Fashion Weekend.

Aimee Grimshaw’s four Japanese-style kimonos were on show at the University Centre at Blackburn College when they were stolen last month — just an hour before the exhibit closed for good.

The 21-year-old’s pleas for their return touched the kind-hearted bosses at one East Lancashire estate agents, who have bought Aimee and a friend silver tickets to September’s fashion extravaganza, plus a goodie bag, train tickets and a hotel room.

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She will have access to more than 150 exclusive shop offers, industry talks and presentations, and will attend a catwalk trend show.

Paul Ainsworth-Lord, who runs Ainsworth Lord Estates with his wife Deborah, said: “We were both shocked after reading the initial story, as it can be devastating to a young person to have something they have worked so hard for taken away from them.

“As a family business we are passionate about supporting the local community, and doing our bit in any way that we can. In this instance we wanted to reach out to Aimee and offer her something to help get her back on track.

“We hope that attending London Fashion Weekend will inspire Aimee not to be disheartened by what has happened, and will spur her on to pursue her dream career in fashion.”

Aimee said: “They rang to say they wanted to help in some way. They came up with the idea of giving me a treat. I am very grateful for it — it is a good opportunity.”

The contemporary fashion student, who dreams of making it big in the world of print design, had been showing off her work as part of a larger exhibition held in the motor-vehicle workshops.

Garments, artwork, and photographs were on display from May 20, and were due to removed on the morning after the display closed on Thursday, June 4. The thief struck between 4pm and 5pm on June 4.

Kimonos are usually full-length robes and are most often worn by women and on special occasions.

Held at the Saatchi Gallery from September 24 to 27, London Fashion Weekend will be attended by some of the world’s top models and designers.