Sheffield Sitting Pretty.

By Luis Register.

Sheffield has transformed from an industrial blur of grey to a vista of art, colour and grand architecture. The city has regenerated itself over the last couple of decades from a place steeped in steelwork factories and abandoned warehouses to one now recognised nationwide for its unique sense of style and art.

The Winter Gardens, a 21 metre high greenhouse, bustling with exotic plants and one of many reasons why Sheffield is now being considered as such an exciting place to live, was opened by the Her Majesty The Queen in 2003. The garden, who's huge glass walls have played host to a series of events such as the World Snooker Championships in April, recently featured an exhibition of high-fashion dresses inspired by the human reproductive system.

This out of the box venture was created by two sisters; Helen and Kate Storey, who's admiration for Sheffield's strong artistic and cultural vibe inspired them to show their collection here. "We come back to Sheffield time and time again because it all blends in. The pieces we put out just feel better here."

"We had a collection of dissolving clothes feature in Meadowhall, last year. The people of Sheffield were really receptive to it. We enjoy coming here, we always feel like there's a great level interest." said Helen Storey, who's fashion collection stayed at the Winter Gardens for a couple of weeks.

It seems the people of Sheffield are as inspiring and notable as the city itself. When talking to Joe Horton, 19 and student at Nottingham Trent University, he said "Sheffield was my first choice to do my Fashion Design degree. The people here dress so well and are always on top form style wise."

Leigh Allen, a Jamaican student at Sheffield University, added to Joe's comments on the vibrant community "It's not even necessarily about the art … the city is just so cultured. You'll see so many different types of people walking through the streets. The city just feels so hyperactive and different. I love studying here and meeting all these new people."

With students and the youth of today gravitating towards Sheffield for it's bustling art scene and fashion forward community, it's almost no surprise that the city was in the final 4 to become the UK's first ever "City of Culture". Backed by the likes of indie band Arctic Monkeys, hollywood actor Sean Bean and Monty Python star Michael Palin, Sheffield was a front runner to snatch the esteemed title for it's musical, theatrical and aesthetic charms.

The city however, lost out to Londonderry. Despite this, spirits were not dampened. Paul Billington, head of the bid, said "The city will move on. It's been a huge boost for the city's confidence and most of all it's reputation." Councillor Paul Scriven said "I'm proud of Sheffield. To make it as far as we did is a fantastic achievement and I'm sure it won't end here."

A professor at the London College of Fashion, Imogen Slater, informed me of her journey into Sheffield and how that alone inspired and wowed her. "I came into Sheffield to promote some art work and as I walked through the city, I just saw walls and walls of this beautiful graffiti. Like so much time and effort had been put into it. It's just dotted everywhere and it looks fantastic. It wowed me. The Millenium Gallery alone is wonderful and the architecture of some of the buildings like the Town Hall is amazing. " 

Although Sheffield lost out in the "City of Culture" bid, it's clear that it's really at it's prime culturally and artistically. People in the artistic profession appreciate it's strong display of culture and attention to detail whilst the youth revel in the stylish and varied community.

Sheffield is moving quickly and we just better keep up.