Graduate Fashion Week Gala 2012

 

Awards went to students for outstanding collections and also some awards were directed towards branding and communications work.

The most prestigious award is the George Gold Award which is £20,000 and support from Graduate Fashion Week and its contacts in the fashion industry. The award was introduced by Christopher Bailey via video link and presented by Daphne Guinness and Brand Director of George Fiona Lambert.

 

The ten finalists were all incredible and the collection showed some incredible skill in structure, fabrics and knitwear.

Many of the collections by the finalists were incredibly commercial and obviously geared towards the award. Designers nominated for the Gold award were:

Riona Horrox – Edinburgh School of Art
Claire Acton – University of Central Lancashire

James Walker – UCA Epsom

Kelly Mayers – Birmingham

Chloe Jones – Bath Spa

Amy Holdon – Birmingham

Alice Griffiths – UCA Epsom

Charli Cohen – Kingston

Emma Beaumont – UCA Rochester

Emily Edge – Northumbria

A firm favourite with an avant-garde edge was James Walker who based his structured, gravity defying collection around the ‘one man band’ and created luggage like outerwear in a refined tweed with flashes of tanned leather.

The overall winner however was Chloe Jones from Bath Spa University. Her collection of grey hooded jackets with sheer chiffon skirts and simple prints was executed beautifully. A strong theme was that of the monastery and the hoods created a look not unlike that of a nuns habit – with the addition of holy remixed music.  The highly commercial collection also won the George Womenswear Award. Congratulations to Chloe!

The International Award went to Karen Jessen whose collection featured plaited, twisted strands of ripped denim and jersey as well as stunning leather panelled dresses.

The Zhandra Rhodes Textiles award was awarded to Xiaoping (Fiona) Huang. Her collection featured jack in the box styles, circus stripes and daring structure in variety of fabrics including chiffon.

 

The Visionary Knitwear award was split and awarded to two designers Jousianne Propp and Caitlin Charles Jones. Jousianne Propp mixed knitwear with plastic elements that created a skeleton look.

 

Riona Horrox won the menswear award with her urban/street collection of padded bulbous jackets, marbelised prints and the addition of shaggy fur that went down a storm.

 

The show was a really great representation of talent in graduates in the UK and abroad – George will be sponsoring the event again next year and we can’t wait!

 

Congratulations to all of the winners, finalists and everyone else involved!