GFW 2013 – International Show

Giving a global flavour to the proceedings graduates from 16 universities were given the chance to show their designs at the Earl’s Court arena, including the likes of Parsons, New York; Shih Chien, Taiwan and Mimar Sinan Fine Arts Turkey. Excluding Esmod Berlin, each university presented a 6-piece collection from one lucky graduate to UK press and industry professionals. It’s the first time Graduate Fashion Week has incorporated leading universities from around the world in this way.

 

Designs by graduates from Esmod, Berlin

 

Graduates on show were selected by a judging panel headed by Sara Maino, senior fashion editor at Vogue Italia. Martyn Roberts, director of Graduate Fashion Week said; “The participation of such prestigious international educational establishments just goes to prove how influential and valued Graduate Fashion Week is around the world. We are thrilled to be able to welcome exciting talent and their designs.”

 

Opening the show Anna Wilhelmina from Esmod, Berlin, had her models clad in pure white body armour, softened with knitwear and pepped up with neon brights the opener made for a strong start. Other collections of note came via Angus Chiang from Shih Chien, Taiwan, think rainbow infused whimsical spacemen meets manga kitsch in neon, very fun and super cute. Meanwhile Chisung Ihn from Bunka University in Japan showed perfectly balanced digital prints with structured silhouettes that enhanced the shoulders and nipped-in the waist.

         Left: Angus Chiang, Taiwan. Right: Chisung Ihn, Japan

 

And while the students may live countries apart many shared similar ideas and key themes such as; boxy structuring, 3-dimensional cubist forms, neon, strong digital prints, body armour, transparency, veils & hoods, sportswear shapes and faded ombré tones.

 

This year Graduate Fashion Week have spread out award announcements throughout the week as opposed a lengthy awards ceremony on the final day. The International Show was judged by an industry panel that included the Royal College of Art’s Professor Wendy Dagworthy, fashion blogger Susie Lau of Style Bubble, Italian Vogue’s Sara Maino, and Gitte Jonsdar of Muuse.

 

The award for Best International Collection was given to Angus Chiang, of Taiwan’s Shih Chien University, for his neon-bright space inspired menswear.

 

 

International Show Finale