- Work Hard
- 16th Oct 2024
- 0
- 0 minute
Meet the Newcastle fashion designer who’s creating bespoke pieces for the red carpet
The fashion world is famously competitive — and let’s be honest, the North East doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves. But one local designer is changing that.
Meet Corey Dixon, founder of Somebody Else’s Guy — a Newcastle-based label that’s redefining sustainable fashion and proving couture doesn’t have to come from London.
Working from her studio in the city, Corey transforms pre-loved pieces into bold, gender-neutral designs that ooze personality. Every garment is upcycled, made-to-measure, and completely one-of-a-kind.
And if you’re not ready to commit to a custom piece? Corey also offers a rental service for those wanting to make an eco-conscious statement at their next event.
From sewing masks during lockdown to creating looks for the BRIT Awards, BAFTAs and red carpet regulars like H from Steps, Corey’s rise has been nothing short of spectacular.
We caught up with her to talk inspiration, creativity, and what it’s like dressing stars from her North East studio.
SO, WHERE DID IT ALL START?
“I’ve always been obsessed with clothes,” Corey smiles. “From about three years old, I was fussy about what I’d wear. My mam was so into fashion, and I definitely got that from her.
“I used to dance, but even when I was performing, I was thinking more about the outfits than the routines!”
After working in costume design on cruise ships for four years, Corey found herself looking for a creative outlet during lockdown.
“I lost my mam at the start of lockdown and needed something to focus on. I began making face masks out of faux designer fabrics to raise money for Cancer Research, since my mam passed away from cancer. They sold out so quickly — people loved them. That’s when I realised there was a real appetite for what I was creating. It grew from there.”
WHAT MAKES YOUR DESIGNS STAND OUT?
“All my pieces are completely one-off,” Corey explains. “You’ll never see anyone else wearing the same thing.
“I love playing with contrast — especially upcycling men’s tailoring. I’ll take something structured and masculine and rework it with feminine shapes or unexpected details. Everything I make is gender-neutral and made to measure.”
Corey’s ethos is simple: sustainability, creativity, individuality.
“Everything is upcycled from charity shop finds or donations. It’s not fast fashion; it’s slow, considered, and sustainable. A lot of designers focus on recycling fabrics, but I upcycle whole garments, giving them a completely new story.”
And it’s not just the clothes that make the experience special. “I involve my clients in the whole creative process. We build the design together — it’s personal, collaborative, and that’s what keeps people coming back.”
WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
“My mam will always be my biggest inspiration. In her last few days, she told me how proud she was of me. That stuck with me — it drives me every day.”
says Corey.
Music also plays a huge role in her brand identity. “I named Somebody Else’s Guy after the Jocelyn Brown song. It ties in perfectly with what I do — giving ‘somebody else’s’ clothing a new life. Every piece I design is named after a song, and I’ve made a Spotify playlist that grows with every collection.”
TALK US THROUGH YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS.
“It all starts with a chat,” Corey says. “I get to know my clients — their personality, their style, what makes them feel confident. Some come with a clear idea; others need more guidance. I love that flexibility.”
Corey doesn’t sketch designs in advance. “I like to let ideas evolve naturally. I don’t start sewing until I’m sure the clients happy. Once we’ve agreed on the concept and they’ve sent measurements, I bring it all to life in the studio.”
YOU’VE DRESSED SOME HUGE NAMES — WHAT’S BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT SO FAR?
“The first celebrity I worked with was H from Steps,” Corey beams. “He reached out to me, and I worked with his stylist on a jacket for their Platinum Megamix album cover. Then I created looks for their tour — it still feels surreal.”
From there, the opportunities just kept coming.
“I designed Joe Baggs’ red carpet outfit for the NTAs — he wanted something completely different from my usual paint-drip looks. I’ve also created pieces for the BRIT Awards, the Barbie: The Movie premiere, and loads more.”
Her recent London Fashion Week collaboration was a pinch-me moment. “I originally made TikTok star Max Balegde a blazer as a joke — but then Crocs got involved, and I ended up designing him a full suit for LFW. That was wild.”
And it doesn’t stop there. “I’ve recently dressed Layton Williams from Bad Education for Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two and Lorraine. Seeing my work on TV never gets old.”
HOW DOES IT FEEL SEEING HOW FAR YOU’VE COME?
“I honestly can’t believe it,” Corey admits. “It never feels like work because I love it so much. Sometimes I’ll be in my studio in Newcastle and suddenly get a message from a celebrity asking me to make something — it’s mad!”
Despite the whirlwind success, Corey stays grounded. “The support from people here in the North East has been amazing. I don’t always stop to realise how far I’ve come, but when I do, I just feel grateful — and excited for what’s next.”
From upcycling charity shop finds to styling red carpet icons, Corey Dixon is proving that world-class fashion can come from right here in the North East. With her fearless creativity, sustainable ethos, and pure passion, the founder of Somebody Else’s Guy is showing that the next big thing in British fashion doesn’t have to come from London — it can come straight out of Newcastle.
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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