NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY

Rory Longdon from Nottingham Trent University became the seventh winner of the Graduate Fashion Week Gold Award in 2011. His bold yet simple ideas translated into a stunning, wearable collection demonstrating exceptional ability in design, cut and construction and well as excellent use of colour and fabric. His 6-piece collection took inspiration from the scientific movement ‘Transhumanism’ and the idea that the human body is altered technologically to enhance capabilities.

He developed black and metallic skirts, dresses, sweaters and leggings made from futuristic-looking fabrics to achieve a look of armour-encased warrior women. He incorporated different sized metal beads into knitted fabrics to give an armour-like feel and fine gauge engineered ribs are knitted in plated viscose yarns to mimic the networks of computer chips.

Rory is currently based in Italy working for Max & Co at the MaxMara group as a knitwear designer. He has also been approached by Burberry and interviewed for assistant knitwear designer position at McQ Alexander McQueen.

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UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

Marissa Owen from University of Central Lancashire won the Womenswear Award.

The panel of Gold Award judges commented that Marissa had “An intelligent concept that was playful, exuberant and beautifully executed and excellent construction”. She received the Harold Tillman scholarship at LFC but decided to further her educational experience through gaining experience in her field. Marissa is currently living in London and working as a freelance design assistant for Marks and Spencer. 

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EDINBURGH COLLEGE OF ART

Felix Chabluk Smith from Edinburgh College of Art was the recipient of the Menswear Award. “The winner was chosen because of their clever use of historic patterns, rewritten with a romantic narrative and a modern executive and excellent construction”.

Felix is currently completing a Menswear MA at the Royal College of Art. After winning he was commissioned to write a feature about the Pringle of Scotland archives for the print debut of Disegno magazine. Felix has gained a substantial following for his written work since winning the award. 

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NORTHBROOK COLLEGE SUSSEX

Dominique Kral from Northbrook College won the Zandra Rhodes Catwalk Textile Award. The judge’s criteria for the award was to find an innovative and directional collection created through the use of original design in either printed or constructed textiles. The collection was described as“a beautiful balance between prints, textures and colours resulting in a contemporary collection”.Dominique was contracted to have her collection featured in Britain’s and Ireland’s Next Top Model live show. She is currently selling her line with two stockists, BENGT Fashion and Tellus Fashion, online. In addition to this, Dominique has a placement with ASOS.

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ISTITUTO MARANGONI PARIS

Christina Economu from Marangoni, Paris was the International Award winner. It was the first year Isitituto Marangoni participated in the International Show along with last year’s rosta of international universities including The Amsterdam Fashion Institute and LASALLE Singapore. Judge and award presenter, Mark Eley commented “Christina produced an accomplished collection of separates that have created a balanced look of harmonised mixed up prints with a touch of traditional finesse.”

Christine is now completing a design internship at Giambattista Valli in Paris.

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NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY

Wonjee Chung from Nottingham Trent University was the Stuart Peters Visionary Knitwear Award winner. The judges were impressed with Wonjee’s directional and innovative collection, which demonstrated appropriate use of colour, texture, yarn and silhouette. “Wonjee’s collection encompassed the innovation together with a sense of commerciality, excitement and considered technical ability”. Wonjee has just finished a six-week work placement at Stuart Peters and is in discussion with Stuart Peters about continued work. Her collection was shown at ‘Shenzhen Fashion Week’ and ‘Pure London’ last year. 

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UNIVERSITY FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS

Charoula Demosthenous from UCA Epsom won the Per Aquum Creative Marketing Award. The judges were looking for a marketing plan showing the value of innovation blended with a creative approach along the development & promotion of an innovative output/product. The judges commented “Caroula demonstrated a sound understanding of the marketing opportunity and most importantly we thought it was a really great idea!” Charoula is currently doing her Masters in Bournemouth University.

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UNIVERSITY FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS EPSOM

Hsin Yee Wong from UCA Epsom was the Barclays New Business Idea Award winner. “The judges chose this entry based on the simple elevator pitch principle: you could see the proposition working immediately. Most importantly the business idea was supported by thorough research, a canny understanding of the target demographic and sound and convincing business plan.”

Hsin has recently secured a 3 month job working on a project with one of the Barclays suppliers ‘Incorporatewear’, a company founded by Jeff Banks, starting in August.  She has also been employed by Barclays on a project to pursue a tailored design brief set by the managing director. 

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UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER

Parsha Gerayesh from University of Westminster was the recipient of the Hammerson Fashion Innovation Award. The award recognises new endeavours within the field of fashion and was created to acknowledge the design excellence and innovation that exists within the current portfolio of Fashion Awards at GFW. “The judges agreed that Parsha’s work was truly innovative and a complete reinvention of the process of cutting and pattern analysis - an executive that was inspired, intriguing and described by one of the judges as the ‘Brian Eno of Fashion.”

Since Graduate Fashion Week, Parsha has been offered MA’s from Kingston and LCF. He has also recently had interviews for design positions at Aitor Throup and Studio Nancy Tilbury.

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NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY

Molly Ratcliff from Northumbria University was the Mulberry Accessories Award winner, judged and presented by Emma Hill, Creative Director, Mulberry. The award was established to encourage a modern directional approach to the accessories arena. Molly was chosen “for her amazing illustrations, her professionalism and gotta-have-it clutch bags!”

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DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY

Sarika Pancholi from De Montfort University was The David Band Textiles Award winner. The judges of this award were looking for a student whose work explored the creative and inspired use of colour to achieve a distinctive fashion statement in either printed or constructed textiles. “From research to conclusion Sarika used her own personality and understanding of textiles to a great degree.”

After GFW Sarika went on to complete a two-month contract with River Island and is now completing an internship with Vivienne Westwood.

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UNIVERSITY FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS EPSOM

Lauren Brown & Sophia Sabados from UCA Epsom were The Lifeline IT Media & Design Award winners for 2011. The criteria of this award was concept, creativity, research and analysis and realisation across traditional, new media and cross media projects, from Broadcast and

Digital media, to Print and 3D. “The judges were struck by Lauren and Sophia’s enthusiasm for fashion and photography: Live, Life, Bright, Gwan!”

Lauren and Sophia have continued developing and expanding their magazine, entitled ‘Gwan’ and are hoping to release a new issue soon.

Their next shoot, entitled ‘Street Safari’, took place in November and included several graduate collections they spotted at GFW, and are hoping to have it published in other publications. 

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UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

Kimberley Dines from University of Central Lancashire was awarded the First Word Journalism Award by Graduate Fashion Week Trustee Hilary Alexander and Harold Tilman. Kimberley stood out to the judges after producing a magazine style piece displaying originality and style to a high journalistic standard. “It’s fascinating to read!” Kimberly was working with Karen Millen until the end of last year working in the web team and the design studio assisting with styling and trends.

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EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY

Kyle Spires from Edinburgh University was awarded the Karen Millen Fashion Portfolio Award winner. The judges were looking for a well executed, stylish and professionally presented work, showing individual contemporary style in the chosen medium, and found it in Kyle who is currently in his second term of his first year at the RCA- “The opportunities are incredible, and in all honesty I can’t imagine undertaking my MA anywhere else! I’m also doing some freelance to help pay for the course which is also teaching me a lot.”

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