THE past: everything he does is inspired by it. The present: he’s THE designer on the scene at the moment. The future: well it's up for grabs but it's a fair bet that Joey Bevan is going places – and one of them will be right here in Southend, this weekend.

The 32-year-old fashion designer and celebrity stylist who grew up in Basildon and now lives in Westcliff, is in demand across the globe. His career has quite literally skyrocketed over the past four years. But this weekend he will be showing off his creative talents closer to home, in a special charity fashion show held within picturesque Priory Park.

The Mayor’s Charity Craft and Fashion Show on Sunday (July 2) will see Joey showcasing 31 pieces from three of his fashion collections. The catwalk will be set up within the medieval Prittlewell Priory, set within the park, while craft and food stores galore will also be in place outside in the walled garden (Joey’s models will also be getting ready there so if you fancy a back stage view of the action?..)

The event, from 12pm-6pm is part of Southend Alternative City of Culture 2017 and will raise money for the Mencap and the mayor’s charities. Joey’s shows will take place at 1pm and 3pm. The simultaneous craft event, where vendors will sell their jewellery , scarves, soaps and cup -cakes is free to wander round and ideal for families who want to bring a picnic into the walled garden and enjoy the day’s entertainment.

“It’s going to be awesome,” said Joey with his usual passionate positivity. “I was asked if I could put on a show for the mayor’s charity and I jumped at it. I go all over the world now with work but I can tell you Southend is home and will always be special to me. I’ve had many chances to move up to London but I don’t want to. I’m happy here.”

Joey’s rise from Basildon boy to fashion supremo could be the stuff of films. Joey has candidly spoken of his struggle growing up battling with bulimia, his experience with self harm and dealing with his sexuality as a teenager. He has since gone onto work extensively with anti bullying charities and in promoting body confidence.

At the age of 15, Joey went to Thurrock College to study fashion and later worked in offices, factories and as a shop assistant. But it was while working at Southend’s YMCA charity shop that he got his first big break when he created a pop-up fashion show customising second-hand clothes. His designs were spotted by an industry insider and he was invited to take part in his first fashion show. From there he was headhunted for Britain’s Next Top Model which provided a spring board to work on shows such as the X Factor. With hard work and a positive mental attitude all the way Joey earned himself a reputation as a fashion designer and stylist to the stars. He's also renowned for his ability to turn weird and wonderful materials and items into eye-catching designs (his most famous is a dress made of 72,000 postage stamps).

The rest is history, which incidentally is what drives Joey. His creations are literally dripping in themes from bygone eras, whether it’s the ‘queens of old’ in his 2013 Coronation Collection, to Vikings and Saxons, to the London immigration boom over the sixties and seventies, as seen in his latest offerings.

Visitors to this weekend’s show will be able to see for themselves as Joey will be displaying selected pieces from three of his collections. The first will that much admired 2013 collection made especially for the queen’s 60th coronation anniversary and modelled at a catwalk extravaganza within Buckingham Palace gardens in front of the queen herself. Among the pieces on show will be Joey’s iconic Union Jack dress- a patriotic marvel which went onto be showcased within the window of John Lewis on Oxford Street for a year- the longest ever for a single garment. There will also be the chance to see pieces from Joey’s newest collection, Castaway. An absolute celebration of the diversity of Britain it includes pieces inspired by our history. But as always, don’t expect the conventional. Get set to see recycled denims, plenty of embroidery and outlandish designs.

For Joeys third collection on the day, entitled “We are Warriors” get set for outfits inspired by a fusion of all things tribal and Saxon- think Game of Thrones meets the Vikings with plenty of fur trim and slinky silhouettes in between.

As a supporter of LBGT rights and a champion for budding designers, it’s no surprise Joey has been honoured with a string of awards throughout his career- his most prized, the 2013 Inspiration Award given by the YMCA in recognition for his work with the young generation. For the past few years Joey has also been head judge for the Basildon Fashion Awards and taken the event firmly under his wing.

“I am so determined to give young designers a platform to showcase their work,” he said. “I didn’t have that and I want to do everything I can to help those who are in the same place I was a decade ago.”

Joey is also known for his outspoken passion for diversity, whether it’s the clothes he creates to the models who wear them.

As such the models he selects are always handpicked for their contrasting looks. For the Priory Park show models will include Lauren McAvoy from Wickford who won Britian’s Next Top Model in 2007, as well as London models Grace Gray and Misty Bailey.

“I am so proud to be British,” said Joey. “But I think we are the amazing country we are because of our diversity. We are such a mix of colours, shapes and sizes and I love it. That’s what we need to celebrate, now more than ever, because it brings us together.”

So back to history for a moment, if there’s anyone from the past that Joey could style, who would he chose?

“That’s a tough one because there are so many people I’d love to style but in my top two would be Maria Antoinette because she was so forward and extravagant with her fashions and Joan of Arc because she was drawn to masculine clothing and believed her clothing gave her strength and power. That’s fascinating to me.

“Anne Boleyn would also be on my list. Because she was from Rochford, I feel a connection to her, her life absolutely intrigues me.”

What about more modern day muses? “I really like the actress Tilda Swinton’s look, I’d love to style her,” he confessed. “She’s different. I like different. Audrey Hepburn of course would have been amazing to design for, she was simply breathtakingly elegant.”

Sponsors of Sunday’s event – part of the year long celebration of Southend Alternative City of Culture- include London City Airport, Arriva and Greater Anglia. Entry for the fashion show is £10 for adults, students £5. Tickets can be ordered in advance by emailing scarr12@talktalk.net.