Awards Aplenty at GFW 2005
09-06-2005
Now in its 14th year, Graduate Fashion Week has certainly come a long way, well organized and slick the event now attracts all the right industry players. This year’s grads have also stepped up a gear presenting collections that were both professional and innovative.
After the usual game of VIP Musical Chairs from the don’t you know who I am brigade, the show swiftly opened with its first batch of award
Fashion Promotion and Media Awards
GE Consumer Finance Strategic Marketing Award
Presented by Jonathan Taylor – GE Finance
Winner: Emily Hall from the London College of Fashion
Creative Marketing Award
Presented by Patrick Burgoyne, Creative Review & Gary Aspden, Adidas
Winner: Karen Chi Man Luk from University of Central Lancashire
Dalziel + Pow Stand Design Award
Presented by David Dalziel
Winner: RavensbourneCollege of Art & Communication
Jon Adam Fashion Portfolio Award
Presented by Gary Gold & Melanie Laub, Jon Adam
Winner: Faye Pearce from Edinburgh College of Art
Textiles Award
Presented by Mark Eley, Eley Kishimoto & Alice Temperley, Temperley London
Winner: Kerry Allen from Ravensbourne College of Art & Communication
GVD Accessories Award
Presented by Jimmy Choo & Stuart Vevers, Mulberry
Winner: David Hassan from Northumbria University
Waterman Fashion Illustration Award
Presented by Sue Moscatelli, David Downton and model Jade Parfitt
Winner: Elliot Atkinson from Edinburgh College of Art
“First Word†Journalism Award
Presented by Hilary Alexander, The Daily Telegraph
Winner: Suzanne Madson from the London College of Fashion
The Hearst Corporation Media & Design Award
Presented by Terry Mansfield
Winner: Tiffany Taylor from Ravensbourne College of Art & Communication
Several down, six to go, including the juicy River Island Gold Award, meanwhile the audience were treated to a visual feast of shortlisted catwalk collections. Setting the scene was a warrior chic – rock meets Africa collection from Kristy Millward. Recurring themes this year include muted tones, especially beige, grey and chocolate brown, intricate pleats and gathers, chunky knits, hoods, plus modern interpretations of historical references. Thankfully hosts June and Steve toned down their catwalk commentary as the show progressed and fashion did all the talking. Personal highlights came courtesy of Alexa Davis and her elegant take on traditional Islamic clothing, Georgia Dant’s relaxed suiting for the boys and Amanda Wilding’s Miyake-esque pleated evening dresses.
Catwalk show over and it was time to announce the final group of awards
Graduate Fashion Week Gala Awards 2005
Best Use of Colour Award
Presented by Mary McCartney-Donald & Tamara Salman, Liberty
Winner: Alexa Davis from Winchester School of Art
Zandra Rhodes Catwalk Textiles Award
Presented by Mary Quant in place of an absent Zandra
Winner: Kerrie Scott from University College of Northampton
River Island Gold Award
Presented by Richard Bradbury, River Island, Alexandra Shulman, Vogue and Stefano Pilati, Yves Saint Laurent
3rd place: Wowo Kraus from Middlesex University
2nd place: Amanda Wilding from Salisbury College
River Island Gold Award Winner: Jess Noy from University West of England, Bristol
Jess receives a whopping £20K – plus valuable advice and mentoring from the GFW panel and the London Fashion Forum. Her winning collection comprised of a white denim streetwear look for men & women with bucket loads of straps and grommets. A River Island representative stated that the collection was both innovative and commercial. UWE Bristol will also receive £2,000.
The highly regarded fashion school Central Saint Martin’s, meanwhile, staged its own show and awards ceremony last week. Winners there included:
Best Womenswear Award: Mary McCarthy
Best Menswear Award: Sebastian Lundin
The L’Oreal Total Look Award: Josephine Sundt
Fashion and awarded out? There’s more yet to come as the Royal College of Art presents its Fashion & Textile MA show on the 9th June. Check back on FashionCapital for further coverage.
By JoJo Iles
