Talent & Alumni

One of the fashion industry greats, British Designer Vivienne was a passionate supporter of young emerging graduate talent and regularly attended Graduate Fashion Week in her role as Patron, alongside the team from her eponymous label.

Meet Natalie Vest-Jones, a Fashion Styling and Creative Direction graduate from Solent University. Lets see where she is now, two years on from her first interview with us!

Meet GFF Talent, Mia Nutton, a fashion graduate from De Montfort University. Mia’s final major project is focused around sustainability. “I found some waste carpet on the side of the street, I thought it was a huge waste as I see this a lot in Leicester. There’s not much you can do with waste carpet over than throw it on landfill.” says Mia.

Meet GFF Talent, Danish Rizal, a final year student at Management and Science University Malaysia. Danish’s final major project is focused around recent sporting events in Malaysia. “I became involved as the chanters' leader for the Malaysian Team and throughout my time there, I was intrigued by the largest stadium in my country's architectural designs” says Danish. Read all about it below!

Meet GFF Talent, Jinwon Park, a final year student at Nottingham Trent University. Jinwon’s final major project is focused around race, nationality and language. “I lived in a situation where I was a majority. Now I have become a minority. I have realised that there is a massive gap between living as the majority and the minority throughout my life” says Jinwon. Read all about it below!

Meet GFF Talent, Kirsten Torkoniak, a fashion graduate from University of Central Lancashire. Kirsten’s final major project is inspired by harbours in Rhodes. “I went to Rhodes in Greece at the beginning of final year and was inspired by the harbour, my collection now is based around sailboats using old sails as my dead stock fabric and the silhouettes also incorporating architectural structure to keep a contemporary design point of view.” says Kirsten.

Meet GFF Talent, Francesca Merrick, a fashion graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University. Francesca’s final major project is inspired by her Scottish heritage. “There is an importance of sustaining heritage and roots throughout our modern and ever changing society, by using my family's stories and our clan's tartans I am reviving their livelihood and joy.” says Francesca.

Meet GFF Talent, Renu Sigar, a final year student at Nottingham Trent University. Renu’s final major project is focused around reducing waste without sacrificing the art of the garments. “Even before my final inspiration came through, I knew that I wanted to significantly cut down on fabric scraps when I'm actually making my final garments.” says Renu. Read all about it below!

Meet GFF Talent, Maximilian Jennings, a fashion graduate from University of Brighton. Max’s final major project is inspired by his upbringing in the English countryside. “My motivation was to determine an epicene balance between fragile elegance and masculine virility. ” says Max. Read all about it below!

Meet GFF Talent, Poppy Vrayer Griffiths, a fashion graduate from Northumbria University. Poppy’s final major project is inspired by military clothing and the empowerment of women. “The collection promotes empowerment and aims to bring awareness to women’s safety in society through the contrasting use of historical military menswear and parachute moulage,” says Poppy.

Meet Rebecca Cuthbertson, a fashion communications graduate from Heriot-Watt University. Rebecca’s FMP is inspired by the lives of sex workers, exploring stereotypes throughout the ages. “I created a publication entitled "Honey Pot" made up of interviews, photoshoots and graphics work based around feminism and sex work and how they are linked,” says Rebecca.

Meet GFF Talent, Molly Nixon – a fashion design graduate from Northumbria University. Her collection, Siren Song, is an outerwear-focused collection inspired by 19th Century fishermen and folklore from North East fishing towns. Read more about her sea-inspired collection below.

Meet GFF Talent, Katie-Rose Jackson, a fashion design graduate from the University if Central Lancashire. Her collection is three pandemic-inspired garments that take their aesthetic influence from three areas: bacteria, mould and viruses.

Meet GFF Talent, Shay Corney, a fashion design graduate from the University of Central Lancashire. Her final major project was inspired by EBoys culture on TikTok, and the androgynous style they showcase online.

Meet Misha Farooq, a fashion design graduate from the University of Central Lancashire. Her final major project is scientifically inspired by the relationship between the sun and the earth, using thermochromatic fabrics to mimic the energy transfer between the two. Read more below!

Meet GFF Talent, Yasmin Ibrahim, a graduate of The University of East London. Yasmin’s final collection delves into her personal and cultural history – confronting traumatic experiences and bravely reclaiming her body, narrative and future. Read about Yasmin’s work below. TW: Sexual assault and child abuse.

Meet GFF Talent, Elisabeth Rose, a fashion graduate from Northumbria University. Elisabeth’s final major project is inspired by youth culture and class, exploring the contradictions and manifestations of both throughout history.

Get to know GFF Talent, Sally Stevenson. Sally is a fashion design and marketing graduate from Northumbria University, whose final major project is brand for 12-16-year-olds, which encourages the wearer to attach value and establish an emotional connection to their clothing. The first collection is inspired by the Lake District.

Meet GFF International Talent, Yung An Cheng from Shih Chien University in Taipei. We were so impressed with her work that we wanted to share it with you today. Check it out below!

Meet GFF Talent, Meg Gardner, a fashion design and textiles graduate from the University of Huddersfield. Her final collection is inspired by her family’s relationship with astronomy. Having inherited telescopes from her grandparents. Incorporating sustainable design principles, the collection is trans-seasonal and adaptable for multiple occasions.

Meet GFF Talent: Ruth Court, a fashion graduate from Herriot Watt University. Her final year collection is heavily inspired by the artist Kandinsky, as well as her interest in sustainability. “Kandinsky’s pioneering method of abstraction, as well as his ability to translate themes into contemporary terms, is why I feel incredibly inspired and motivated to use this art movement to approach fashion sustainability,” she says.

Meet GFF Talent, Sundas Javed, a fashion design graduate from the University of Central Lancashire. Her final major project honours her late brother, who passed away as a child from a rare genetic illness. Sundas’ 6 piece menswear collection takes denim and wool, distressing fabrics to symbolise deterioration.

Meet GFF Talent, Elena Massari, a fashion graduate from Heriot-Watt University. Her final collection is an exploration of the connection between clothing and emotion, borne from feeling isolated and homesick during last year’s lockdown. “This collection is born by acknowledging the current mental health emergency, hoping to provide a new solution by finding comfort in garments where we cannot turn to other people,” she says.

Meet GFF Talent, Tiani Etheridge, from Coventry University. Her final project is an exploration of intersectional feminism through a lens of ‘70s/’80s activism and art. Through felting, embroidery, collaging and painting, she has created a 6 piece womenswear collection inspired by 1970s utilitarian silhouettes.

Meet GFF Talent, Liene Ozolina, a graduate of Heriot-Watt University School Of Textiles And Design. Liene was inspired by her experience of growing up in Latvia, then moving to Scotland for university, to create a collection that has inclusive messaging at its core. Titled Disabled Totems, the collection is functional yet bold in its use of silhouette. “The idea of self-expression, individuality and acceptance in society was something I wanted to talk about,” she says.

Meet GFF Talent, Saveliin Uuskula, a fashion graduate from Coventry University. Her final major project is a womenswear collection inspired by the book "The Craftsman" by Richard Sennet. The focus of the book is about building deeper connections with our belongings, which Saveliin has translated into her work. “I wanted to make a meaningful collection of functional and aesthetic clothing focusing on telling a story about nurturing our clothes, show appreciation of craftmanship and ways to prolong the life of a garment,” she says.

Meet GFF Talent, Emily Bowden, a fashion graduate from Coventry University. Inspired by butterflies and the cocoon as a metaphor for living through lockdown for the last year. A journey of transformation can be seen through her collection.

Meet GFF Talent, Adel Molnar, a fashion graduate from Coventry University. Nostalgia and homesickness inspired her childrenswear collection, Euphoria. An oversized collection that taps into her childhood dream of being treated like an adult, she explores her own childhood relationship with clothing as a result.

Meet GFF Talent, Camille Lemoine, a fashion communications graduate from Heriot-Watt University. Camille’s final major project is a publication called Stubborn Weeds. It’s a publication building a space where fashion can exist as part of a more regenerative future and contribute to today's back-to-the-land movement.

Meet GFF Talent, Madeleine Ryall, a fashion design graduate from De Montfort University. Madeleine’s final collection is inspired by her grandma, and a desire to rethink stereotypes about older generations by designing a bright, bold collection using upcycled clothing.

Meet Munashe Ashlyn, a fashion graduate from Coventry University. Her final year project is a publication called Soft Silk Soul, which also includes merchandise and digital marketing to connect with a more inclusive and diverse group of women to inspire and entertain them. “I am a plus-size black woman who grew up with little-to-no role models to look up to,” says Munashe. “I am creating this publication for young adolescents and women to see imagery that reflects their reality. Overall, the publication is something all women can find relatable, inspiring and insightful.”

Meet Alice Joy Hampton, a fashion graduate at Norwich University of the Arts. Her final year project is inspired by a childhood passion for ballet and her favourite colour, pink. Not fitting into the traditional mould of a ballet dancer led Alice to quit at a young age, so this collection is designed to be worn by many different body types. “ After thinking about all those memories, I knew I wanted to create a collection inspired by ballet that absolutely anyone could wear, no matter what they look like, what size or shape they are and no matter how ‘imperfect’ they believe themselves to be,” she says.

Meet GFF Talent, Amber Bailey from Coventry University. Amber’s final project is called Freedom From the Land, inspired by the Land girls and the role they played in promoting female independence during the second world war. The focus is on prints, with two physical outfits that highlight the key silhouettes and textile techniques that reflect the two contrasting lifestyles of women during WW2.

Meet Nadezhda Valchanova, a fashion graduate from Coventry University. Inspired by her family connection to the Chernobyl disaster, her final project is an exploration of building back a better future. “My final collection is my way to thank and honour my Ukrainian roots, as well as reflect on the wider sociological and political issues provoked by the Chernobyl disaster,” she says. “My design approach reflects on the Post Covid-19 World and the need to rethink businesses and build a more sustainable, progressive future and redefine the industry by producing clothing in a completely new manner, which is to reduce waste by pioneering a new way of pattern making.”

Meet GFF alumni, Rebecca Lennox. After graduating from Nottingham Trent University and showing her final collection at GFW in 2018, she was inspired to launch a side business as a result of the makeup damage on her garments. The Makeup Mask was born, finding a gap in the fashion and beauty industry to prevent clothing damage during fittings, fashion shows and photoshoots. Rebecca tells us how her business came about and her plans for the future.

Meet GFF Talent, Cerys Jones, a fashion design with textiles at the University of Huddersfield. Her final year project, Imitation Jungle, is a womenswear collection inspired by streetwear, houseplants, urban jungles and the natural environment. Having experienced the reality of the fashion industry in her placement year with a fast-fashion brand, Cerys’ focus is on creating biodegradable, conscious clothing.

Meet GFF Talent, Anna Watson from Heriot-Watt University. Anna’s final year project is a high-end sustainable womenswear collection, that she designed to take busy people from the office to the evening. Using modular elements, reversibility and innovative pattern cutting, Anna’s work is aesthetically inspired by French history and the parallels between revolutions of the past and the various social justice movements that occurred in 2020, when she was ideating the collection.

Meet GFF Talent, Jordan Fergusson, a fashion design & technology graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University. Jordan’s final year project is called QUEER REVERIE, a personal exploration of gender stereotypes and how they can be reconstructed through a queer lens. “I wanted to create characters that were queer and unapologetic in their form of dress - raking on classic menswear silhouettes and 'camping it up.’” says Jordan.

Meet GFF Talent, Samantha Jayne Griffiths, a fashion design graduate from the University of South Wales. Inspired by working women, Samantha’s final collection is a capsule of adaptable, modular pieces that can be changed to fit into women’s lives. She has taken cues from mental health research to incorporate embroidered hidden messages of empowerment into the garments.

Meet GFF International Talent, Yuumi Ueda from Osaka Institute of Fashion. Keita’s final year collection was inspired by the role of fashion and clothing in a wider cultural landscape. Through researching the connection between social issues and fashion, she discovered Mod culture and aims to bring together elements of this, and Japanese culture, in her collection.

Meet GFF International Talent, Yuxin Huang from Bunka Fashion College. “The Colours of Love” is Yuxin’s final collection, and looks at the many different forms love comes in, especially passionate love. Voluminous silhouettes have been digitally printed and dyed with colours and images that Yuxin associates with love to create an emotive and exciting collection. Read on to learn more about Yuxin’s work.

Get to know ESMOD France, the fashion school which is spread across two campuses: Paris and Lyon. ESMOD offers two options for undergraduate design courses and one undergraduate course in fashion business. Students can earn their Fashion Design undergraduate degree in three years, or in two by taking the accelerated Intensive Program. Because design is never as accurate as when it is approached technically, ESMOD has merged its design and pattern-making courses to provide students with a complete overview of the design process, from concept to manufacturing. Get to know 10 of ESMOD’s talented fashion design graduates

Meet GFF International Talent, Clara Shanie Pranata, from Binus Northumbria School of Design. Clara’s final year collection is inspired by the dichotomy between rural and city living, and the yearning for nature and serenity of rural environments that those living in large cities often experience. Her collection brings rural aesthetics into the city and finds a balance between two opposing worlds. Read more about Clara’s work below.

Meet GFF International Talent, Amineh Ahmad from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. Amineh’s collection “Arabesque” is a six piece accessories collection inspired by the role Muslim Arab women play within their society. The collection explores the relationship between religion and culture, and how clothing can be used as a tool to control a person’s behaviour and identity. Learn more about Amineh’s work below.

Meet GFF International Talent, Chor Sze Tung from Donghua University, whose final year collection is inspired by parallels between the natural world and the human face: the contours, gradients, and textures that characterise the two. Read on to discover more about her work and plans for the future.

Meet GFF International Talent: Sarah Mair, from AMD Akademie Mode & Design. Sarah’s final year collection is called The New Nomad, inspired by her travels around Morocco and the Tuareg people, a large nomadic Berber society. Sustainability is at the core of Sarah’s concept and construction, made from up-cycled sails, she has imagined what a nomadic future society would wear to survive. Read on to learn more about her work and plans for the future.

Meet GFF International Talent, Rebar Aziz, from Pforzheim University in Germany. Rebar’s inspiration for his final collection is the Bavarian king, Ludwig. “Ludvig II” explores themes of escapism, nightmares, dreams, delusion, life and death through craftsmanship and tailoring skills which Rebar was first exposed to as a child in his father’s tailoring studio. Read on to discover more about Rebar and his work.

Meet GFF International Talent, Zhang Liuyue, from Donghua University in China. Inspired by the relationship between human nature and animal nature in human beings, her collection has combines origami three-dimensional modeling of animals with suiting to explore this contradiction. Read on to discover more about her work and plants for after graduation.

Meet GFF International Talent, Alice Piscedda, a fashion and costume graduate from Accademia Costume e Moda. Alice was inspired by photographs of children growing up in working-class communities of Northern Ireland and England, looking at themes of class divisions, peace and unity. Her collection is called 'Briseadh' (meaning fracture in Irish Gaelic) and it focuses on the relationship between clothes and the artistic process. Read on to learn more about Alice’s work and her plans for the future.

Meet GFF Talent, Michela Scotto di Clemente, a fashion design graduate from IUAD Accademia Della Moda. Michela’s final collection, CENSORSHIP KILL, came about after a family tragedy that lead her to the idea of giving voice to all the people who repress their emotions, their feelings and their weaknesses. Read on to discover more about Michela and her plans for the future.

Meet GFF International Talent, Jialing Ying from Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology in China. Her final year collection is inspired by the novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” by Philip K. Dick, which examines class, technology and power structures. Read on to learn more about Jialing’s collection and her plans for after graduation.

Meet GFF International Talent, Mao Murasato, from Omula Hairdressing And Fashion Professional Training College in Japan. Mao is inspired by pastel colours, as well as shapes and materials not usually found in fashion, such as noodles and flower pots. As you can see in Mao’s images below, collage is a medium she has used to express her aesthetic, saying that collage’s lack of rules gives her the freedom to express her style in a unique way. Read on below to learn more about Mao and her collection.

Meet International GFF Talent, Tamara Toby, a fashion graduate from IED Barcelona. Delving into the world and aesthetics of brothels and prostitution that she observed growing up in Israel, a contrast to the devout religious environment, her collection is inspired by seven words: Passion, Pain, Fear, Feminine, Violence, Control and Romance. Read on to discover more about Tamara’s final year collection and her plans for the future.

IED Barcelona is one of the Graduate Fashion Foundation’s international member universities for 2020, and is part of a network of IED schools across Italy, Spain and Brazil. IED Barcelona Design School forms part of an international network dating back over 50 years specialising in Design, Fashion, Visual Arts, Communication and Management education. Below, you can meet 10 fashion design graduates who have created their final year projects inspired by a diverse and fearless range of themes: environmentalism, globalisation, religion, death, history and travel.

Get to know Omula Hairdressing And Fashion Professional Training College, one of the Graduate Fashion Foundation’s international member universities for 2020. Based in Fukuoka, Japan, the Omula Hairdressing And Fashion Professional Training College was founded in 1929 as one of the hairdressing salons in Fukuoka. Then it developed as a school, where Fashion Marketing, Flat Pattern Making and Sewing are taught.

We’re pleased to share the work of fashion graduates from Accademia Costume é Moda, one of the Graduate Fashion Foundation’s International universities for 2020. Situated in the heart of Rome, the university focuses on fashion and costume as key pillars of teaching, from which history, theory and research enrich the process of experimentation, craftsmanship, design and product. In the last 50 years, many world-renowned creative directors and designers have graduated from the Accademia, including Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele.

As an international member university of the Graduate Fashion Foundation, we’re thrilled to be able to share the work of a selection of Sichuan Fine Art Institute fashion design graduates, who have spent their degrees honing their skills in everything from costume design, fashion illustration, fabric design, accessories design and more.

Meet GFW18 alumni, Anya Parker James, who since graduating three years ago has had an incredible start to her career. Anya has launched her own brand after a design role in a start up and since produced 3 mini collections!

Meet GFF Talent, Yasmin Ibrahim, a graduate of The University of East London. Yasmin’s final collection delves into her personal and cultural history – confronting traumatic experiences and bravely reclaiming her body, narrative and future. Read about Yasmin’s work below. TW: Sexual assault and child abuse.

Get to know GFF Talent, Sally Stevenson. Sally is a fashion design and marketing graduate from Northumbria University, whose final major project is brand for 12-16-year-olds, which encourages the wearer to attach value and establish an emotional connection to their clothing. The first collection is inspired by the Lake District.

Meet GFF Talent, Pia-Maria Leberfinger, a fashion design graduate from AMD Akademie Mode & Design. Her final collection inspiration is set 100 years from now, in the year 2120. Exo-2120 is a future-thinking capsule of pieces that respond to the climate crisis and imagine what will be worn in the future. Aesthetically, the collection takes inspiration from retro-futurism of the 1950s, and Pia-Maria has meticulously built out the world around her collection.

Meet Chiara Corso, a fashion design graduate from Falmouth University. During lockdown, Chiara’s focus turned to exploring surrealism, consciousness and subconsciousness which became the basis of her womenswear collection. Experimenting with creative and unique shapes, tailoring and prints, her collection “Singularities” is a physical expression of complex emotions that arose during the pandemic.

Meet GFF Talent Natasha Simpson, a Fashion Design student at the University of South Wales. Natasha was inspired by her family connection to the Man Engine, the UK’s largest mechanical puppet that portrays a Cornish miner. Her womenswear collection is a capsule designed with function and longevity in mind. “Longevity is key with my collection and ensuring that the garments I create will be of quality and allow for an emotional connection to be formed between wearer and garment, allowing the garment to be used consistently and for a long period of time juxtaposing the themes in the fast fashion industry,” she says.

Meet GFW19 alumni, Sarah Thompson, who since graduating two years ago has had an incredibly eventful start to her career. Sarah found an internship in London with Self Portrait and then quickly after a job with River Island, which she began just before the global pandemic hit. Since then, Sarah has been busy working on her soon-to-launch brand, TOM-O, which upcycles old garments into new creations. She’s also collaborated with friends and other businesses to share her passion for recycling dead stock fabric.

Meet GFF Talent, Simone Dimitrova, a fashion design student from University of South Wales. Simone is inspired by her native country of Bulgaria in the creation of her womenswear collection, called ‘The Shared Memory.’ Looking to the ‘70s and 80s, she explores the connection between the consumer and designer, using fabrics found in her hometown.

Meet GFF Talent Kira Balla, a fashion student at Norwich University of the Arts. Kira’s final project is an exploration of something she has been fascinated by from a young age — crystals. Her womenswear collection uses crystals as a natural embellishment . She has been developing crystallising materials and learning about the parallels between these natural formations and people along the way.

Meet GFF Talent, Isabel Short, a Fashion media final year student from Solent University. Isabel explores Fashion Film within her final project and expands on how Covid-19 has made her plans adaptable . Read more below.

Meet Elise Keeling, a graduate from UCA Rochester. Elise was inspired by her experience of the UK’s music festivals in her collection, which also has a message about sustainability — she used recycled materials including sleeping bags to explore the issue. “My message is: to protect the beauty of nature and the natural world; and to create a constant discourse around the need for sustainability both in fashion – and in society,” says Elise.

Meet GFF Talent, Amelia Hughes, a fashion design graduate from Arts University Bournemouth. Amelia was inspired by a family holiday to Australia where she learned about the rich history and cultural traditions of Indigenous Australians. She has incorporated the use of paint to create body art, as well as silhouettes reminiscent of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House to create her collection of six garments.

Meet GFF Talent, Heena Gulabchande, fashion design graduate from University for the Creative Arts. Heena’s final project in inspired by Roman Gods, as well as iconic creatives like Salvador Dalí and Elsa Schiaparelli. Pleating, crustaceans and vintage clocks have all been referenced through Heena’s silhouettes. “The result is an ageless take on surrealism, highlighted with tailoring and organic shapes,” she says.

Meet GFF Talent, Mia Harris from Arts University Bournemouth. Mia’s final year project is inspired by photographs of her mum, which she reinterpreted as pop art images to create the aesthetic vision of her work. She used the collection as a way of thanking family and friends who had supported her through university. Combining pop art and recycled denim, Mia’s collection proves that old can become new again through a bit of imagination.

Meet GFF Talent, Sophie McPherson, a Fashion Branding and Communication graduate from Arts University Bournemouth. Sophie’s final project is called Lush Me, created to break down the taboos and educate women about their bodies. Lush Me is created for the brand Lush to be a product line of feminine hygiene range as well as a publication.

Meet Ffion Bronwyn McCormick-Edwards, a fashion graduate from Arts University Bournemouth. Ffion was inspired by her parents, their love of water skiing and their unique wedding photos to create this accessories collection. The ten piece collection includes from wallets, small phone bags to backpacks and weekend bags out of reclaimed neoprene and old zips from wetsuits.

Meet GFF Talent, Jasmine Guioua, a graduate from Arts University Bournemouth. Jasmine was inspired by her working class heritage and second generation immigrant roots in the creation of her platform that celebrates and gives a voice to working class creatives. “I wanted to my project to invoke a change in people's minds about what it means to be working-class and foreign in Britain,” she says.

Meet Stephanie Ransom, a fashion student from Arts University Bournemouth. Stephanie’s final major project is inspired by her dad, and the biker culture that he was involved in as a young man. Looking at past and present iterations of biking culture, Stephanie translated these influences into a menswear collection that has a strong sustainability focus, having created her her own leather alternative fabric for her collection.

Meet GFF Talent, Tamsin Bruce, a fashion design graduate from Arts University Bournemouth. Tamsin’s final project is called Ward/9 and is inspired by her experience of having a brain cyst as a child. She explores how the brain perceives information and the memories of her episodes of epilepsy and MRI scans are translated into a 7 piece womenswear collection.

Meet Claire Jeffrey, a fashion and technology graduate from Arts University Bournemouth. Claire’s final year project is a swimwear collection called “Swim With Joyce” and is inspired by old photographs of her grandmother, Joyce. The resort swimwear offering is made using dead stock materials from earlier projects in order to reduce waste. Read more about Claire and her work below!

Meet GFF Talent Arianna Taliadoros, a fashion design graduate from Arts University Bournemouth. Arianna’s final collection is inspired by her grandparent’s life in Alexandria, Egypt, in the late 50s. Elements of her grandfather’s clothing provided the base for her collection while feminine details taken from her grandmothers night gowns provides juxtaposition.

Meet Caólum McCabe, a fashion design graduate from Arts University Bournemouth. Caólum’s final collection is inspired by the women of his home country in Ireland, and the myths and stories that surrounded them through Irish lore. It also pays tribute to the women in his own family, exploring aspects of their lives and weaving these into the wider story of “Mother Ireland”.

Meet GFF Talent, Shubhagata Mittal from Nottingham Trent University. Shubhagata’s final collection is called MIRAGE and is inspired by art she created as a child. Bridging the gap between reality and dreams, the collection brings together poetry, photography and paintings. “My inspiration births from the perception of the ten year old Shubhagata, on-Mirage, a phenomenon that has enticed me since forever. An illusion giving rise to hopes that ‘they’ say, do not exist. However, my mirage is a doorway to the oasis and not a lurer of dismay.”

Meet GFF Talent Sai Vigneshwar Rao, a fashion design graduate from Arts University Bournemouth. Sai’s final year project is a collection of six outfits that are inspired by his Indian heritage and experience of living in Britain. Everything from the silhouettes developed by blending traditional Indian garments with tailoring that references military uniforms ties into these two cultures.

Meet GFF Talent, Hebe Iris Blackett, a fashion graduate from Kingston University. Iris’ final year collection is inspired by her late father, and the experience of getting to know him after his death through old photographs. Grief has influenced her work, as she explores the different phases and experiences of grief since loosing her dad. Read more about Hebe’s collection below.

Meet GFF Talent, Roisin-Eilish Harkin, a fashion design graduate from Birmingham City University. Roisin’s final year project is a collection inspired by the Netflix series The Get Down, which explores the birth of hip hop in the late 1970’s New York. “I think the way the late 70's New York disco sense slowly over time became a booming scene of hip hop culture, is reflected in my practice of deconstructing the shoes and reconstructing them in my collection,” says Roisin. “I want people to sense joy and happiness when they look at my work.”

Meet GFF Talent, Jordanna Singh, a graduate in fashion communications at Heriot Watt University. Inspired by her heritage, Jordanna began comparing racial political tensions in Singapore and the UK, her two homes, particularly in the wake of Brexit. Taking the form of a digital magazine called Rojak, she brings together imagery, poetry and stories from her childhood to explore these ideas.

Meet GFF Talent, Talin Tariq Shehab Aldeen, a fashion design graduate from Cambridge School of Art. Talin’s final collection is called KHAYAL, and aims to inject some of the fun and joy from childhood books into modern streetwear. Talin has created a narrative around his collection, which follows the adventures of characters Healthy, Curious, Excited, and Funky by using prints that speak to the young at heart.

Meet GFF Talent, Grace Pierce, a fashion communications graduate from Heriot Watt University. Grace’s age-positive fashion magazine seeks to shine a light on women over the age of 60 in contemporary fashion media, where they are often ignored and neglected. Inspired by street style photographers like Ari Seth Cohen, Bill Cunningham, Grace street cast and photographed her subjects to empower and celebrate women regardless of their age. Read more about Grace’s work and her plans for the future below.

Meet GFF Talent, Joeley Sutton, a fashion design graduate from De Montfort University. Joeley’s final collection is inspired by rock and roll legends of the ‘70s. Her work aims to subvert gender stereotypes — which she plans to continue exploring as she enters the industry following graduation. Read more below!

Meet GFF Talent, Tamsin Lines, a textile design graduate from the University of Leeds. Tamsin explores her identity and cultural background through the contrasting aesthetics of Eastern and Western styles. Using deadstock materials from her visit to the Oxfam Wastesaver as well as other waste materials, Tamsin transforms the second-hand fabrics into a couture collection with sustainable design thinking at its core. Read more below.

Meet Lauren Broome, a fashion design graduate from the University of East London. Lauren’s collection is inspired by the uniforms worn by whalers that worked on South Georgia in the nineteenth century. Her experimentation with 3D pleating through a selection of garments binds the four outfits together aesthetically, she explains. Read on to learn more about Lauren’s work below!

Meet GFF Talent, Amy White, a fashion graduate from the University of Northampton. Amy’s collection explores the possibilities of bio-degradable fabrics, using materials that she grew herself, known as Bacteria Cellulose. Read more about Amy’s zero-waste collection below!

Meet GFF Talent Harriet Kate Slavin, a fashion design and textiles graduate at the University of Huddersfield. A passionate vegan and animal rights activist, Harriet’s final year project is inspired by her values. Read more about Harriet’s work and her plans for the future below.

Meet GFF Talent Taz Dorodi, who is finishing her final year project as a graduate of Leeds Arts University. Taz’s final collection is inspired by her childhood in Iran, and explores women’s empowerment through fashion. She taps into her personal history and preconceptions of masculine and feminine style to debunk traditional beliefs and present a modern, liberated idea of fashion. Read on to learn more about Taz’s collection.

Meet Ellis Cynthia Whitehurst, a fashion design graduate at De Montfort University. Inspired by her home town in the Midlands, Ellis’ collection taps into streetwear culture, workwear, and cultural references from the 80s that uses denim while keeping sustainable design practices at the forefront of the collection. Read on to learn more about Ellis’ work and plans for the future.

Meet GFF Talent Gracie D’Silva, a fashion design graduate from Leeds Arts University. After visiting the Oxfam Wastesaver facility earlier this year, Gracie was inspired to create an up-cycled collection made of recycled cashmere. Her final year project has been an exploration of reusing fabrics and creating something exciting and innovative without creating more waste. Learn more about Gracie’s collection below and discover what she’s looking forward to after graduation.

Meet GFF Talent, Tabatha Lopez Palmby from the University of the West of England, who is finishing her final year in fashion communications. Tabitha’s photography celebrates young women through a series of portraits around Bristol. Looking to empower and spread a message of body positivity that is not often seen in the mainstream media, Tabatha’s work speaks to a generation of young women who are forging their own path. Read on to learn more about Tabatha’s work and her plans for the future.

Meet GFF Talent Isabel Hambly, a fashion graduate at Nottingham Trent University. Isabel’s final project is a sustainable denim collection inspired by the unique British seaside. What started as a celebration of seaside holidays and the iconic imagery of Martin Parr and David Hurn, became a deep dive into the production of sustainable denim. Read on to learn more about Isabel’s project, what she has learnt in her time at Nottingham Trent and her plans for the future.

Meet GFF Talent Alysha Lily, a fashion graduate from Solent University. Alysha’s final collection, The Heir To The Throne from is inspired by London gangs, the TV show Top Boy and artist Herr Nilsson, as well as Tudor England. These juxtaposing styles create a unique collection which radiants strength and power and challenge traditional views of femininity. Read on to learn more about Alysha and her final project.

Meet GFF Talent Suhani Lotlikar, a graduate in fashion branding and communication at the Arts University Bournemouth. Suhani’s final project is a magazine called STARE, which aims to connect with and give a voice to south Asian youth through arts and culture. Released in both Hindi and English, Indian-born Suhani wants to create conversations and analyse the shifting culture of south Asian youth by facilitating discussions with the community. Read on to learn more about STARE and Suhani’s plans for the future.

Meet GFF Talent Lucy Hall, a fashion communication and promotion graduate from Norwich University of the Arts. Lucy’s final project, Nothing To Hide, aims to change the perception of sustainable fashion and communicate concepts around ethical manufacturing and the dark secrets of the industry to a wide audience. Her focus on rebranding sustainable fashion to make it accessible taps into a growing awareness of the importance of transparency and ethics among consumers. Read on to learn more about Nothing To Hide and Lucy’s plans for the start of her career.

Meet GFF talent Megan Williams, a fashion and textile design graduate at the University of Portsmouth. Megan’s final project began as an exploration of space and evolved to consider how colour and textiles may impact mental health and wellbeing. Her concept-driven collection aims to soothe and relax, evoking feelings of liberation and freedom. Read on to learn more about Megan’s work and her plans for the future.

Meet Hanna Davidson, a fashion communications graduate at Herriot Watt University. Hanna’s final year project is all about the extremes of Instagram filters and the dangers of plastic surgery. Using face paint, clay, play-dough and sculpting wax, Hanna photographed and collaged her project to convey a message of body positivity and acceptance. Read on to learn more.

Meet Emily Tonge, who is graduating in fashion design from Manchester Metropolitan University. Emily’s final year project was inspired by the new towns of the 1950s and 60s and delves into domesticity and expectations of women in this time. Sourcing vintage and antique fabrics is one way Emily has created both a historically accurate and sustainable collection, two crucial aspects of her work. Read on to learn more about Emily and her final year project.

Meet GFF Talent Rebecca Padgett, a final year fashion promotion student from the Manchester Metropolitan University. An interest in the intersection of feminism and the fashion and wellness spaces led Rebecca to her final year project, Girls That Get Off — a zine exploring female pleasure. Rebecca is passionate about calling out the double standards and inauthentic engagement with the body positivity movement by major fashion brands. Read more about Rebecca’s work below.

Meet Aoibhe Maguire, a BA graduate of Fashion at Kingston University. This GFF Talent shares with us the ways that biblical imagery taught during childhood in Ireland inspired her final year project. Read on to learn more about Aoibhe’s plans for the future.

Meet Kirsty-Anne McGowan, a fashion graduate at Solent University whose final year project was initially inspired by an exhibition she visited in France. Having to adapt her collection due to Solent closing its studio doors amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Kirsty-Anne’s final collection is the result of trial and error and creative flexibility despite adversity. Read her story below.

Meet GFF Talent Naomi Findlay, who is graduating from Herriot Watt University. Naomi’s family comes from a travelling background, which formed the basis of her final year project. Delving into traveller culture, the practical and sustainable nature of clothing worn by travellers, as well as the traditions passed down through her mum provide a uniquely personal perspective on a misunderstood segment of society. Read more about Naomi’s work below.

Meet GFW alumni Daisy Podmor-Childe, a former Northumbria University student who now works in marketing for boohooMAN. Having studied both fashion design and marketing during her time at university, Daisy discovered that her true interest lay in the communication of ideas, which led her to pursue marketing. Daisy is living proof that you don’t have to move to London to work in fashion, and she’s a big believer of celebrating the small victories that come with building a career in fashion.

Meet GFF Talent Maria Joao Campos Monteiro, a graduate of Fashion Branding and Communication at Arts University Bournemouth, whose final collection is an exploration of Black stereotypes, culture and history. Her use of bold colours and exaggerated characters began life as paintings which were then translated into an editorial shoot. Hear more about Maria’s final project!

Meet Plymouth College of Art graduate Jessica Mae, whose struggle with Endometriosis inspired her final year project. It led to an exploration of womanhood, motherhood and societal pressures that women encounter. Read on to learn more about Jessica’s project and her plans for life after graduation.

This week we meet Plyska Genova, a UCLAN graduate who showed at GFW 2018. Now, she’s the PR and Marketing Manager for vegan footwear brand Koi, and has some great advice for the class of 2020: Trust your own journey and don’t look at other’s paths and compare them to your own. Read on to learn about Plyska’s journey from GFW to Koi Footwear PR & Marketing team!

This week our GFF Talent shines a spotlight on the work of Norwich University of the Arts student, Ashleigh Jones. Ashleigh is finishing her degree in Fashion Communication and Promotion with her final project — an editorial which allowed her to flex her creative direction and styling skills through hyper-colourful, playful fashion imagery. Read on to learn more about Ashleigh’s work and her plans for the future.