Young Fashion Designer Fen Mcilwraith Wins LNER’s ‘Uniform of the Future’ Competition

A bright young talent from Gateshead has captured the imagination of the railway industry and beyond with her visionary design for the future of railway worker uniforms. Ten-year-old Fen Mcilwraith was recently announced as the winner of the LNER and National Railway Museum’s art competition, ‘Design the Uniform of the Future’, created to mark the bicentennial anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway — the world’s first passenger railway.

The competition invited children aged 11 and under across the UK to envision the future of railway uniforms, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and practicality.

Fen’s vibrant and technologically advanced design for the Station Assistant uniform impressed judges with its creativity and attention to real-world needs. Her winning design will be brought to life by LNER’s uniform supplier, Dimensions, turning her concept into a wearable, made-to-measure garment.

Celebrating 200 Years of Railway Innovation

The Railway 200 celebrations mark 200 years since the Stockton and Darlington Railway opened in 1825, revolutionizing transportation in the UK and setting the stage for the modern railway system, operated today by companies such as LNER. According to the UK Government’s Department for Transport (DfT), railways remain a vital part of the country’s infrastructure, serving millions of passengers and supporting economic growth through sustainable transport solutions.

To commemorate this milestone, LNER and the National Railway Museum launched the art contest with a focus on envisioning uniforms that not only reflect the future of railway work but also embrace sustainability, adaptability, and safety — key themes in modern transport policy. The competition invited young participants to imagine how railway staff uniforms might evolve in the next decades, encouraging them to consider environmental impact alongside functional design.

Fen’s Winning Design: Innovation Meets Sustainability

Fen’s design stands out for its bold use of recycled materials, vibrant orange color inspired by her own personality, and a host of smart features aimed at helping railway staff meet the demands of their evolving roles. The uniform includes:

• Zip-off trousers and sleeves for weather adaptability, supporting staff comfort in variable UK climates.
• Virtual reality glasses to provide real-time access to timetables, platform updates, and customer service information.
• A jetpack feature designed to allow Station Assistants to navigate large stations swiftly, ensuring faster assistance to passengers.
• Wearable emojis embedded in the uniform to allow staff to express emotions and communicate non-verbally, promoting positive interactions.

These features demonstrate Fen’s deep understanding of how railway employees work and how technology can be harnessed to improve their efficiency and safety. The choice to incorporate recycled materials aligns with the UK Government’s wider sustainability goals. According to the UK Government’s Clean Growth Strategy and Environment Act 2021, reducing waste and promoting sustainable materials in manufacturing—including uniforms—forms a crucial part of the national agenda to cut carbon emissions and foster green innovation.

The Importance of Practical and Safe Uniforms in Railway Work

Railway staff uniforms must comply with strict health and safety regulations, as outlined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). These regulations ensure uniforms provide visibility, protection, and comfort to workers in various environments. For example, high-visibility clothing is mandated to prevent accidents in busy, high-risk areas like train stations and rail yards.

Fen’s design takes this into account with a bright orange color that meets high-visibility standards and adds functional adaptability for all weather conditions — a key consideration in outdoor and indoor roles across the rail network.

Encouraging Creativity and Future Talent in the Railway Industry

Fen’s enthusiasm for design was evident when she said: “I love drawing and designing my own clothes. This competition gave me the chance to design for others and think about how they would use my design. I’m excited to see my design come to life and it’s a great start to becoming a fashion designer!”

The competition’s judges praised Fen’s ability to blend creativity with practical needs. Chris Healy, Standards and Development Manager at LNER, commented: “Fen’s futuristic design includes features that help our customers, colleagues, and the planet. We’re delighted to bring her vision to life.”

Charlotte Kingston, Head of Public Programmes and Communications at the National Railway Museum, highlighted the importance of engaging young people in the railway industry: “The railway sector is full of opportunities for creative minds. It’s inspiring to see young people like Fen thinking about sustainability and customer experience.”

Sally Anne Roe, Senior Designer at Dimensions, the uniform supplier, praised Fen’s originality and detailed design: “Fen’s passion for clothing design shines through. We are thrilled to support LNER in producing her uniform of the future.”

The Future of Sustainable Uniforms in the Railway Sector

LNER’s initiative reflects broader trends within the rail industry toward sustainability and innovation. The Rail Industry Association emphasizes that sustainability is becoming embedded in operational decisions, including employee uniforms, which are increasingly made from recycled and environmentally friendly materials.

By fostering young talent like Fen’s, these organizations demonstrate their commitment to future-proofing the industry with fresh ideas and responsible practices.

What This Means for the Railway Industry and Young Creatives

The competition shows how involving young people in design and innovation can spark new perspectives on traditional industries. With railways playing a key role in the UK’s net-zero ambitions and providing thousands of jobs, encouraging creativity from an early age is vital.

Fen’s story is also a reminder of the potential career pathways in fashion design linked to transport, manufacturing, and sustainability — areas that the UK Government supports through initiatives such as the Creative Industries Sector Deal.