Graduate Fashion Week 2015
30-05-2015
GFW has become a leading industry event that celebrates the creativity of students and graduates within fashion. GFW a charity organisation was founded in 1991 by Jeff Banks CBE, Vanessa Denza MBE and John Walford to unify both UK and International universities and create a stronghold for the creative industries.
Showcasing the work of over 1,000 of the very best students and graduates from the most influential and inspiring universities around the world, GFW represents the future of creative design talent. Attracting 30,000 guests each June, the annual event features 22 catwalk shows, exhibitions from over 40 universities and an acclaimed Gala Award Show alongside a packed live talks and workshops schedule featuring leading names from the fashion industry.
Saturday began with catwalk shows from Bournemouth, Liverpool John Moores and Northbrook. Along with additional talks and events such as the SHOWstudio 3D Scanning Booth and Hilary Alexander OBE in conversation with Fiona Lambert. Hilary also returned later in the day to present the first batch of Awards for categories that included textiles, marketing and photography.
The David Band Textiles Award, presented by Emma Shipley and Clare Johnston, was awarded to Melissa Villevielle from Edinburgh University, while the Fashion Marketing Award went to Chloe Draper, from The University of East London. And the award for Fashion Photography was presented to Jodie Cox from Salford University. Well done to all those that got shortlisted and bagged a top prize, certainly no easy feat with the amount of competition on show. More Award winners will be announced as the days unfold.
Graduate Fashion Week aims to bridge the gap between graduation and employment and is responsible for launching the careers of some of the most successful designers of our time including Christopher Bailey, who was the winner of the first ever Graduate Fashion Week Gold Award, Stella McCartney, Giles Deacon, Matthew Williamson and Julien Macdonald.
George at Asda has once again sponsored the event for the fourth year running. “We are delighted to be involved in Graduate Fashion Week, it provides a fantastic showcase for the next generation of British creative talent. We have discovered some really exciting graduates, whom have come to work alongside George’s team of in-house designers and buyers. There is an the incredibly diverse array of career opportunities that exist in this fantastic industry.” Fiona Lambert, Brand Director at George.
“I do believe that British students are flourishing because you have the best education system in England that gives Art & Design students the freedom to think, to dream and to do.” Alber Elbaz
Please click here on our Industry Trends section to view all the catwalk and event coverage.
Below is a highlight video of Day 1 Stephen Saunders Prod/Director
Graduate Fashion Week runs from Saturday 30th May – Sunday 2nd June 2015, at the Truman Brewery in East London.
