By Sarah Dale
22 October 2025
Everything must go in the next few weeks.
It was a day of mixed emotions at the beautiful Rudby Hall Hotel near Yarm on Sunday [19 October] at Kate Fearnley’s exclusive closing down sale.
The award-winning designer, who announced her “heartbreaking” decision to close earlier this month, was overwhelmed by the response to the sell-out event, which included a stunning showcase of Kate’s designs by nine models on a red-carpet catwalk in the historic Rudby Hall’s library.
Several excited women said, ‘yes to the dress’ and snapped up their dream wedding gown whilst others couldn’t resist the vibrant occasion wear dresses having fallen in love with them on the catwalk.
The event was a bittersweet occasion as it was both a celebration of Kate Fearnley’s incredible creations at Rudby Hall Hotel, which provided a luxurious setting for the event, and the official marking of the end of an era for the business founded 24 years ago. What shone through was the incredible team of women who rallied around Kate to volunteer their time to model, photograph, promote, and support the event backstage.
Kate said: “I’m completely overwhelmed by the incredible response to our closing down sale. It’s been a whirlwind of mixed emotions – a sad time, but at the same time a proud one. Ending on a positive note surrounded by so much love and support has meant the world to me. I feel truly grateful for my family, friends, work colleagues, and the incredible network of women who have lifted me up every step of the way.”
Rudby Hall co-owner and director Suze Chomo said: “We are proud to have opened our doors to support Kate Fearnley with this event. Our ethos is to build community through collaboration by offering a culture of nurture to everyone who walks through our doors.
“This event was truly memorable, emotional and celebratory of Kate Fearnley’s talent as a designer. It was well attended, and the buzz of excitement was palpable from the guests as they viewed and secured one-of-a-kind designs.
“We wish Kate every success for the future and hope that her brand embraces new and exciting opportunities for the future.”
On Sunday, 26th October, a sale of the company’s industrial sewing machines, retail furniture, mannequins, steam presses, a wide range of fabrics and haberdashery (including trims, zips, threads), will be held at Kate’s Stokesley studio (1 Millennium Court, Ellerbeck Way, Stokesley Business Park, TS9 5QF) from 10am to 2pm.
Kate’s remaining dresses (sizes 8-12) will also be available for sale. The following weekend, 1st-2nd November, the studio will be open both Saturday and Sunday, 10am-2pm, to sell any remaining stock, before it closes permanently.
Limited private sale sample appointments in Kate Fearnley’s Stokesley studio at Millennium Court, will also be available up to the end of October. Please email kate@katefearnley.com, phone 01642 638477 or message @katefearnleybridal to arrange this.
Find out more about Rudby Hall Hotel’s illustrious history, luxurious rooms and how to book a peaceful retreat or relaxing stay, at www.rudbyhall.com
All photos by After Hours Social
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