Viewing entries in
GFW18
Plymouth College of Art alumni, vibrant designer and mother Amy Bray, spent her time backstage at Graduate Fashion Week 2018, not only styling her pieces but being filmed by the BBC. Amy’s collection, “SIT DOWN SHUT UP!” and her journey to Graduate Fashion Week was filmed by the BBC, as one of the first ever fashions segments to be included on the ‘Inside Out’ local feature.
The esteemed Gold Award Winner at GFW18, was Arts University Bournemouth graduate Rebecca Wilson, who received the prestigious prize this June. Inspired by the photographs of Victorian working class families, taken by August Sander and Horace Warner, Rebecca set out to create a collection that combined traditional and contemporary techniques.
We caught up with the emerging designer to find out how her time at Arts University Bournemouth taught her to have more self confidence, learning to use the Lectra software and why she chose to go out of her comfort zone with her designs...
Charles Mein, the winner of the Clarks Footwear Award, is a young designer with an unusual back story. From redoing first year to learning how to see the world through a creatives eyes, Mein's design philosophy is one of constant learning, growing and expanding underpinned by hard work and focus.
Here at Graduate Fashion Foundation, the charity behind the Graduate Fashion Week event every June, we're committed to supporting new fashion talent and GFW alumni throughout their careers in the industry. As part of this ethos, we teamed up with Pure London this weekend, to showcase selected graduates designs on their stage.
Fraser Miller, graduate of De Montfort University and joint winner of the Visionary Knitwear Award, took inspiration from the textures, patterns and styles of the wallpaper, curtain and tiles in the 70's, 80's and 90's. We caught up with Fraser to hear more about the surreal experience of winning, why networking is so crucial for success and the importance of developing independence in your design process. Find out why he's discouraging the 'good grade attitude' !
Caryn is a pioneer of championing mental health in fashion specifically and a refreshing advocate for a disruptive, political and inclusive industry. Here, we release the podcast of her Survive & Thrive workshop from Graduate Fashion Week 2018!
For the second year running, we partnered with SmartFocus, the Digital Messaging Cloud, to give you a voice and the chance to award your favourite designer with an iPad and the opportunity to showcase at the GFW Houses of Parliament event in November.
Whilst the SmartFocus catwalk welcomes the conceptual final collections created by graduates from around the world, the guests that come to see the portfolios have an inventive style of their own. GFW18 saw some uniquely styled guests, expressing their identities through their clothing choices.
Behind the scenes of the unique and inspiring event that celebrates student and graduates’ talents each year, there is an incredibly talented and hardworking digital team whose role is to create and share all the catwalk and backstage insights on Graduate Fashion Week’s digital platforms.
Niamh Carr, graduate of Manchester Fashion Institute, recently won £1000 and a further £500 for her university, by creating a denim jacket and winning the Lenzing Sustainable Denim Competition! We wanted to find out more about the photography that inspired the collection, why sustainability and responsibility aren't trends and the meaning behind the name of Niamh's final collection "Just Do Your Bit”, so we caught up with the young designer to hear more about her work.
At Graduate Fashion Week 2018, there were 32 award winners, receiving prizes from recognition by large brands, trophies and large cash prizes. One of the award winners this year, was Emma Dearling, who went home with the Drapers Fashion Publication Award! We caught up with Emma to find out how she feels about winning, what she plans on doing next, and why dialogue is integral to progress.
The YKK Showroom is a unique resource and platform for emerging designers, students and customers. With the showroom based in the heart of Shoreditch, visitors can get the chance to speak to industry professionals, have instant access to YKK’s latest products, catalogues and collections and purchase limited edition items and samples.
We were proud to welcome Superdry to Graduate Fashion Week for the first time this June, with many job roles available on their stand, a new award and an informative conversation with Siri MacDonald in the GFW Live! talk space. From influencer takeovers to insightful masterclasses, find out what Superdry got up to at GFW18!
Vivienne Westwood is the activist, punk and designer that has been revolting against the norm since the eighties. As one of our Lifetime Patrons, the iconic British creative was the perfect match to lend her name to an award we created in 2013, to recognise the growing need for sustainable design. In 2016 the award transformed from the Ethical Award to the Dame Vivienne Westwood Sustainable and Ethical Award.
As Graduate Fashion Week 2018 came to a close with the Gala Awards Show, many graduates from across the country were presented with awards, from menswear and textiles to social media and new media. One of the primary catwalk awards, is that of the Debenhams Menswear Award. Following in the footsteps of Daniel Rynne, who won the award last year, was Hannah Gibbins, of Brighton University.
We want our graduates showcasing and presenting with us at GFW18 to make the most of this fantastic opportunity but developing self confidence, and knowing how to network and present themselves in ways that will benefit them in the future.
GFW18 is fast approaching with now less than two weeks to go! Through campaigns such as #FeatureFriday, we've been able to see beyond the walls of a university studio to see the provocative, original and artistic designs that have been created and explored this year.
Here at Graduate Fashion Week, we not only have UK based institutions, but many from around the globe. Our International Fashion Award Show this year takes place on Wednesday 6th June in the Truman Brewery, Shoreditch.
The Boys by Girls Styling and Photography Competition gave two students, one stylist and one photographer, the opportunity to work with Cecilie Harris, Editor-in-Chief of Boys by Girls, on a shoot to be published on the female gaze focused magazine!
