GFW: Nottingham Trent University

The school was originally established by government to improve and develop design skills of the industrial workers in the area. Today it attracts design students from all over the globe and it has a staunch work ethic to match with a 94.2% success rate of students going on to employment or further study.

Left to right: Sho Takemura, Rebecca Damla Saygi and Louise Scarlett Brown

Today (2nd June) at the GFW showspace 24 design and knitwear students presented to a packed audience of family, friends, press and judges. Opening with a riot of colourful prints and pleats in a kitsch Japanese kind of way was Sho Takemura. Styled with pearl embellished gimp masks Sho’s final outfit was an oversized packet of Japanese crisps, and why not, this is Graduate Fashion Week after all!

This was followed by Louise Scarlett Brown with a complete contrast of aesthetic. Structured fitted dresses in a monochrome palette featured mosaic patterned embellishments that danced in the light combined with slouchy oversize sweaters. Boxy jackets and slouchy knits were a reoccurring theme at the graduate shows, along with transparent over-layers, pleating and fluid silhouettes.

Working the concept of pleating was Shengjia Ding, from the sculptural box pleat sleeves on a cropped silk satin jacket to a pleated bust section that fell away into a trapeze-line dress.

Kim Louise Sutcliffe

The eyes were filled with ideas and inspirations a-plenty as each student displayed a unique signature style. Kim Louise Sutcliffe had a practical take on her menswear collection, which featured detachable bag pockets on shorts and trousers teamed up with a shark print shirts. While Aimee Dunn went back to the 80’s for her Thatcher inspired monochrome collection that included sleeveless wool coats over tailored suits with subtle embroidered slogans and beaded details.

Aimee Dunn

A firm favourite was an eye-popping collection from Christopher Demirjian. Multi-coloured stripes and prints in strong primary shades were combined to create a visual that was reminiscent of Matisse on acid. Silhouettes were kept clean and fitted and were layered-up with capes and exaggerated shoulders.

Christopher Demirjian

The illuminated backdrop instructed that the audience put on their 3-D glasses for the duration of Rebecca Damla Saygi’s collection. Basket-woven stripes were combined with 3-D prints, which fluttered to life when then models worked the catwalk; it was mesmerising, effective and a testament to the latest developments in printing techniques.

Word by JoJo Iles

Images by David Baird