A FASHION design student has paid a touching tribute to her murdered cousin with her graduate show.

Tnisha Browne, of Yeadon, drew on family tragedy when putting together the final collection for her fashion degree at Bradford School of Art, which is part of Bradford College.

Her cousin, Marlon Small, died in November 2014 after being stabbed in the heart outside a bar in Leeds city centre in what police described as a “completely senseless act of violence”.

This month more than 30 members of the aspiring fashion designer’s family were in the audience to see her unveil her thought-provoking collection at the college’s end of year catwalk show.

“My concept for the collection was the body bag,” said BA (Hons) student Tnisha. “It is dedicated to Marlon and hopefully is something positive to come out of something so negative.

“He died from a single stab wound to the heart and so I looked at the heart and what protects it, the rib cage, and that informed my designs.

“I tried to channel my emotions, how I was feeling after his death then through the court case, into my work. I still really miss him.”

Having completed her degree Tnisha is now focussing on building up a brand she has created with friend Jessica Gates, who also studies at Bradford College. The pair have set up a made-to-measure women’s wear business on Instagram called El Lapel.

Tnisha’s striking designs were among the many eye-catching student artworks on display at the end of year shows at the college’s Lister Building on Carlton Street in Bradford.