Graduate Fashion Week Hot Picks

 

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Graduate Fashion Week UK has become the world’s largest student showcase. British trained graduates can be found working in the industries most prestigious design studios. For example, top fashion brand Louis Vuitton is made up of a whopping 80% of UK trained design grads. It’s the same story across the board, when it comes to new and exciting talent the UK excels.

 

Taking a good look at this year’s talent is Brown’s Focus Buyer, Yasmin Sewell. Yasmin had the extremely difficult task of short-listing her favourite key outfits from hundreds of designs for a unique Graduate Fashion Week shoot. She commented: “I am so impressed by the standard of work, it’s really far more evolved and sophisticated than I had expected.”

 

 

 

– Cream tailored jacket and skirt with punched out detailing by Joanna Poulton – Northumbria University.

 

 

Yasmin comments: “Good choice of fabric, and colour. A cute neckline and good skirt shape.”

 

 

– Black cashmere mini-dress by Marie Gibson – Middlesex University.

 

 

Yasmin comments: “It doesn’t have much hanger appeal, but it’s got it all going on for the season.”

 

 

– Burnt orange dress by Rhian Evans – The Art Institute at Bournemouth. Bag – University of Salford.

 

 

 

– Grey wool tailored dress by Pierre Millasson – London College of Fashion. Bag – University of Northumbria Fashion Marketing.

 

 

 

Yasmin comments: “Interesting strong dress. Well constructed, stretchy. Very elegant and sophisticated. Very fashion.”

 

 

Modelling the very latest in graduate design is Brit girl of the moment – Portia Freeman. You may recognize her Twiggy-esque features from previous Top Shop Ad campaigns. Portia was selected as this year’s Graduate Fashion Week face by Pop Magazine Fashion Editor, Victoria Young.

 

 

 

GFW 05 Shoot credits: {mosimage}

 

Photographs by Ben Dunbar-Brunton

 

Make-Up by Attracta Courteney – L’Oreal Paris’s Creative Director

 

All clothes and accessories from this year’s 2005 UK Fashion Grads

 

 

Let’s not forget that GFW is not just about innovative design and catwalk shows, there are also some top awards up for grabs covering a variety of disciplines such as illustration, journalism, creative marketing, textiles and fashion promotion.

 

This year’s new title sponsor – River Island, holds British talent in very high regard. Keen to provide support and financial help to this year’s talented bunch the High Street giant has created an extremely prestigious top prize. The River Island Gold Award, judged by British Vogue’s – Alexandra Shulman, Managing Director of River Island – Richard Bradbury and top designer – Sophia Kokosalaki, will see one lucky graduate receive a life-changing prize worth £20,000. The recipient’s college/university will also receive an additional £2,000 in recognition of its nurturing output.

 

Richard Bradbury, Managing Director of River Island said: “The River Island Gold Award will be awarded by an expert judging panel to the graduating student whose work most clearly demonstrates exceptional ability in design, cut and construction as well as excellent use of colour and fabric.” The winning student will also get the opportunity to produce a design that will retail at River Island stores.

 

The River Island Gold Award, along with many others will be announced at the GFW Gala show on Wednesday 8^th June. Check back on Fashion Capital for all the latest news and catwalk reviews from Battersea and the Royal College of Art.

Graduate Fashion Week 2005 is open to the general public – call the ticket hotline on 01903 885 748 or go to Battersea Park Arena, Chelsea Bridge Gate Entrance, North Carriage Drive, London SW11.

 

By JoJo Iles