Graduate Fashion Week – Gala Show & Awards

 

The Gala show is much the same every year with awards, celebs and goodie bags. This year was no different although sadly there were a few empty seats in the audience.

The Gala begins with an introduction by Caryn Franklin and Jeff Banks, incredibly informal and occasionally amusing as they banter across the stage between introducing  guest presenters – the likes of Sophie Ellis Bextor, Heidi from the Sugababes, Harold Tillman and Laura Bailey.

Rory Longdon from Nottingham Trent University was named the winner of the Graduate Fashion Week Gold Award  winning £20k and chosen by a panel of judges including Amanda Wakeley, Patrick Grant and Lucy Yeomans.  His collection was gorgeous and very will finished with superb styling that really helped grab the attention of the judges. The knitwear collection featured exposed zips, metallic details and slim, straight 90’s silhouettes.

Marissa Owen from the University of Central Lancashire won the Women’s wear Award with her ragamuffin collection of draping, clashing prints, bulbous structuring and playful primary colours. Although this collection was not to everyone’s taste it scooped a top prize and was described as ‘An intelligent concept that was playful, exuberant and beautifully executed in vibrant colours and print’.

Felix Chabluk Smith from Edinburgh College of Art took home the menswear award with a collection of simple men’s tailoring using traditional patterns with a fresh modern twist, following current trends with pleats, panelling and short, wide legged shorts.

Zandra Rhodes Catwalk Textiles Award went to Dominique Kral from Northbrook College who mixed crazy geometric graphic prints in green with chunky grey cable knit creating a striking but odd collection. The collection was cohesive and stood out as avante gard amongst the other nominees.

 

International Award went to Christina Economu from Marangoni Paris for her brightly coloured collection of clashing prints, print pop colours and asymmetric tailoring details. Her collection was similar to the winner of the Womenswear award with the mix of prints and traditional wearable shapes and tailoring.

Congratulations to all the winners! Nominee report will follow!

 

 

Jemima Daisy