There is a movement taking Oxford by storm. In the space of just one month, it is a group that has grown to 150 members with one united goal: bringing together all the fashion-orientated professionals in Oxford.

Photographers, models, makeup artists, designers and stylists alike have all been invited to join this exciting new venture.

The creative call to arms is being driven home by Oxford based photographer Nick Atkins, who has a long-established role on Oxford’s creative circuit.

Having previously been involved with local creative networks in London, Cheltenham and Gloucester, he wants to bring the same networking opportunities offered by those groups to the heart of Oxford.

In Nick’s view, this movement is long overdue: “I am aware of the intense creativity on my doorstep and have been involved and impressed by the diversity of local talent.”

Nick argues that there are a number of initiatives which give opportunities to creative professionals in Oxford, but none which specifically target designers, photographers, stylists and related creatives: “If you are an aspiring creative in these areas – how do you network in your immediate location?”

Starting by founding a Facebook page to get the word out, the group’s mission statement invites fashion creatives to network, share ideas and collaborate.

As the group gains momentum, Nick hopes the platform will help to encourage relationships and offer those involved more professional opportunities in the real world: “For me as a professional freelance photographer, networking is an essential part of marketing my brand and, ultimately, getting work.”

And the group isn’t limited to fashion-veterans. In this new generation of social networking, it is exactly the sort of springboard that will help newcomers to the industry gain experience.

The group continues to grow by word of mouth. Nick Atkins expects that it will soon double in size and, when it does, he’ll put the gears into motion for the next stage.

“The next step is to have a social event where individuals can meet, view each other’s portfolio, arrange shoots and have lots of creative fun!”

Ambitiously. Nick aims to make these a regular event on the Oxford calendar. Having been heavily involved with seasonal events such as Oxford Fashion Week, he wants to see the group become a perennial resource and collaborative forum for local fashion professionals.

So how have others responded to Nick initiative? Well, it’s early days, but so far he’s managed to connect a cross-section of fashionable creatives from all walks of life, with one photography studio even offering free time to group members.

Reading through the timeline of Nick’s Facebook group, I encounter a sense of openness, willingness to collaborate, a spirit of generosity and a desire to create something inexplicably beautiful.

The project has clearly got people excited.

In an industry where opportunities have long been London-centric, exclusive to celebrity editors, media moguls and well-connected socialites, Nick’s group stands as an example of evolution in the way people pursue their goals. Mixing business with pleasure, social networking with professional success and careers with creativity is clearly the fashionable way forward.

The Oxford Photographers, Models, MUAs and Creatives Network can be found on Facebook, where non-members can request to join.