GRADUATE FASHION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM, GFWI, AS THE SUCCESSFUL EVENT GOES GLOBAL

GRADUATE FASHION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM, GFWI, AS THE SUCCESSFUL EVENT GOES GLOBAL 

Graduate Fashion Foundation, the charity behind Graduate Fashion Week, are proud to announce that Graduate Fashion Week International (GFWi) will launch in October 2022.

The launch of GFWi helps elevate exceptional International talents to a global audience but will also facilitate important conversations around fashion education and the future of the fashion industry world-wide.

Since 2011 Graduate Fashion Week has comprised of over 60 International members from some of the most respected fashion schools across the globe. These schools have been represented for the past 10 years at the prestigious annual event in London, that celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021, with an International Catwalk and digital portfolio showcase.

With the continued growth in International Members and the ambition to reinforce a global fashion community GFWi will comprise a high-profile catwalk show, panel talks and curated academic displays. GFF Award winning students from UK member schools will also have their collections shown.

Held annually in different global locations and supported by a host university, GFWI brings together the very best fashion design talent from around the world to embrace diversity and difference whilst decentralising fashion. The charity, will be working closely with major brands and publications to highlight the GFWi talents that are the next generation of creative talent. Graduate Fashion Foundation Trustees and Directors will be in attendance across all international events.

GFWi kicks off in India for 2022, supported by Pearl Academy, Mumbai. Locations and member hosts for 2023 and 2024 to be announced soon.

Adrien Roberts, Graduate Fashion Foundation International Trustee and International Director of Education at Accademia Costume and Moda said, “For over 30 years Graduate Fashion Week has been the world’s biggest exhibition of undergraduate fashion talent, elevating someof the most exciting creative talents of tomorrow and our International Catwalk Showcase has been an intrinsic part of that event for the past 10 years. For the graduates of today, fashion is a global community with inspiration and talent emerging from institutes across the world and as a global community we can’t continue to remain only in London, the time has come to decentralise fashion, and further our inclusivity.”

Joy Campbell, Graduate Fashion Foundation Director & Head of Brand Partnerships said, “The launch of Graduate Fashion Week International means that not only can we continue to elevate exceptional International talents but we will also facilitate important conversations on a global stage around fashion education and the future of the fashion industry that our amazing young talents will be a pivotal part of. Of course, we are also looking forward to representing our UK schools as winners from our Catwalk Awards will also have their collections shown, we are so excited to be partnering with the brilliant Pearl Academy for the first GFWi and can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter of the Graduate Fashion Foundation”.

Aditi Srivastava, President - Pearl Academy said, “This is the first time that a successful event like GFW is going Global and we at Pearl Academy are proud to partner with the Graduate Fashion Foundation which continues to grow and expand its worldwide reputation as the largest and most comprehensive platform for fashion talent in the world. The world around us has changed, these are different times for us, our industry and especially our students. Creative students are not only constantly looking for inspiration but also ready to take on new challenges and push beyond conventions. And what better body than the Graduate Fashion Foundation which represents and embodies the same.”

The Graduate Fashion Foundation is the world’s largest platform for BA Fashion talent with an annual event, Graduate Fashion Week, taking place at Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross, London from 20th – 24th June 2022. Graduate Fashion Week International is scheduled to take place in October 2022. 

Get to know Sameera Mohmed, winner of the boohoo X GFW competition!

Meet the boohoo X Graduate Fashion Week Competition Winner!

We were delighted to catch up with Sameera Mohmed, a final year student at University for Central Lancashire and the winner of the boohoo X Graduate Fashion Week Competition!

Sneak Peek at Sameera’s winning collection!

boohoo partnered with us here at Graduate Fashion week to host a competition to our UK member universities to find an up and coming student designer to create a more sustainable range to be retailed on boohoo.com!

After being overwhelmed by the number of entries and the amazing quality of the submissions, the team has a difficult decision to make when selecting their winner! Sameera’s application stood out to the design team for her designs that considered both modesty and inclusivity. 

Check out our Q&A with Sameera below to find out more about the inspiration behind her winning entry and her furthered ambitions! 

How did you feel when you were told that you were the winner of the boohoo x GFW competition?

I was completely over the moon. It felt like I had worked so hard for my degree so far this year and it was a challenge to take on another project but I was so thrilled that the hard work paid off. I am finally seeing some progression in my future career.

What are you currently studying and what is your dream career?

I am currently studying BA Hons Fashion Design and I am working on my final collection, which is all in honour of my mum who has a medical eye condition. She has always been my biggest inspiration and motivated me to do my best. My dream career is being able to proudly own my own clothing line, which reflects my personal style.

One of Sameera’s designs in her competition entry

What was the concept and inspiration behind your designed collection?

The concept for my collection is to create a diverse, more sustainable and modest collection which caters to all women of different races and beliefs. The pieces in my collection are flexible to be styled in whichever way the customer feels comfortable, so a collection that can be bespoke to your individual personality, style and background.

What advice would you give to future students who would love to win a competition like this?

My top tips would be to just go for it! Don’t shy away and be afraid of your work not being enough. I tended to do this in my first two years of Uni, and it really isn’t worth it. Just believe in yourself! You won’t get noticed if you don’t go for any opportunities that come your way. Always put in the effort to your best ability and it’ll work wonders!

One of Sameera’s designs in her competition entry

Over the next few months Sameera will be working closely with boohoo’s creative and design teams to bring her collection to life before Graduate Fashion Week 2022!

boohoo X GFW Competition Winner Announced!

We are delighted to announce the winner of the boohoo X Graduate Fashion Week competition! 

The winner is Sammera Mohmed from the University of Central Lancashire. 

The competition was launched to search for upcoming talents to design a more sustainable commercial range for boohoo. Tasking students to design a collection with a focus on sustainability, the competition asked that 4 complete outfits were designed, with the winner having their collection retailed on boohoo.com and receiving an incredible £3000 cash prize.

Sameera’s winning entry combined modest design with a sustainable focus. The concept of Sameera’s collection was ‘to create a diverse, more sustainable and modest clothing range which caters to all women, no matter their race and belief’. The collection featured co-ord suites, tracksuits, satin dresses, modest swimwear and oversized poplin dresses. 

Sameera’s winning entry combined modest design with a sustainable focus. The concept of Sameera’s collection was ‘to create a diverse, more sustainable and modest clothing range which caters to all women, no matter their race and belief’. The collection featured co-ord suites, tracksuits, satin dresses, modest swimwear and oversized poplin dresses.