River Island Gold Award winner, Rebecca Thomson, Manchester Metropolitan University
Hosted by Caryn Franklin and featuring a performance by Diversity, this year’s Graduate Fashion Week Gala Awards ceremony was a star-studded affair. From Alberta Ferretti and Mark Eley of Eley Kishomoto to Zandra Rhodes and Dylan Jones, fashion’s VIP were out in force to show their support for British graduates, whose work and collections demonstrated what a talented bunch they are.
This year’s River Island Gold Award, which includes a £20,000 prize, went to Rebecca Thomson of Manchester Metropolitan University. From Victoriana-style blouses and bold folded dresses to pussy-bow blouses and cotton ruffles, her collection, won the judges’ favour.
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ARTS THREAD wizzes around Graduate Fashion Week 2010, highlighting the 22 catwalk shows and the 50 promotional stands from the top fashion courses from around the UK and worldwide!
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Mulberry Accessories Award winner Kitty Keay, Colchester School of Art, Design & Media
The Mulberry Accessories Award went to Kitty Keay from Colchester School of Art, Design & Media and was presented by Emma Hill, Creative Director of Mulberry. Emma Hill chose the collection as it was ‘full of charm and wit – just adore those Teddy Bears! Kitty told us her collection took inspiration from Jean-Charles de Castelbajac and Moschino Cheap & Chic.
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Textiles Award winner Natalie Murray, Northumbria University
The winning graduate of the Textiles Award was Natalie Murray from Northumbria University. The award was judged this year by David Saunders of David David and Orla Kiely, with a criteria to look for a graduate whose work explores the creative and inspired use of colour to achieve a distinctive fashion statement in either printed or constructed textiles. The award was presented at the GFW gala by David Saunders and Barbara Hulanicki.
Natalie’s project was based on Russian constructivism and folklore, taking inspiration from Paul Klee and design house Eley Kishimoto.
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Per AQUUM Creative Marketing Award winner Jessica Dance, The Arts University College Bournemouth
Jessica Dance from the Arts University College Bournemouth won the Per AQUUM Creative Marketing Award. Jessica’s project was based on her ‘overactive imagination and love for animals.’ Looking at hibernating animals, Jessica’s drawings led directly to the development of her accessories.
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Lyle & Scott Strategic Marketing Award winner Amy Quickfall, Northumbria University
The winner of the Lyle & Scott Strategic Marketing Award is Amy Quickfall from Northumbria University’s Fashion Marketing course. Amy’s project is a concept for a dog brand called Dirty Bitch, aimed at young pet owners who want something fashionable for their home and dog.
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Jon Adam Fashion Portfolio Award winner Ellie Mountfort, The Arts University College Bournemouth
Ellie Mountfort from The Arts University College Bournemouth scooped the Jon Adam Fashion Portfolio Award. Ellie’s portfolio work is inspired by ‘the late Alexnder McQueen,artists Georgia O’Keeffe and Salvador Dali and illustrator Satoshi Saïkusa.
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Hachette Filipacchi Media Design Award winner Alice Barnes, Northumbria University
The winner of the Hachette Filipacchi Media Design Award is Alice Barnes of Northumbria University’s Fashion Communication course. Alice’s work is based on backstage photographs of fashion shows such as Christopher Kane, Jaeger and Richard Nicoll. Alice worked with the Casting Director Russell Marsh who works with design labels such as Prada and Dries Van Noten, which helped her get to see behind the scenes at shows.
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Hammerson Fashion Innovation Award winner The Live Issue by Katie Burkes and Susie O’Brien, UCA Epsom
Katie Burkes and Susie O’Brien from UCA Epsom University Fashion Promotion and Imaging won the by Hammerson Fashion Innovation Award, which was presented to the duo at the GFW gala by Lawrence Hutchings from Hammerson and Harold Tillman. The award was judged by Martin Raymond of The Future Laboratory, Gary Aspden from adidas and designer William Tempest, who collectively noted that Katie and Susie’s ‘live magazine’ project was chosen ‘because it was an excellent and innovative overall concept – live at a time when everything else is online.’
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Harriet de Roeper, Nicole Bradshaw, Kingston University
ARTS THREAD has a look at ones to watch from Graduate Fashion Week 2010.
Nicole Bradshaw, Kingston University: ‘The collection is a platform for luxury and desirability. Designed for the professional urban woman who wants to look effortless and feel ultra empowering. The clothes are an investment, and can be described as second skin.’
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Colchester College of Art & Design, GFW stand 2010
As seen on our previous post, the stand award went to the Arts University College Bournemouth, with runners-up Bradford and Leeds. The standard was so high we have picked out some more favourites that stood out from the crowd.
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Liesemarie Schulte-Kitzing, Middlesex University
The last show on the GFW catwalk schedule, Middlesex University’s show was strong on drama and spectacle. Beveiled brides and cyber-skeletons appeared alongside a strong selection of innovative fashion-forward collections.
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Rebecca Thomson, Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester gave us a refreshing show with a young direction, dramatic pieces plus a strong emphasis on casualwear and denim – as well as the overall winning collection at the event.
River Island Gold Award winner Rebecca Thomson showcased an ethereal light and white collection with a highly sophisticated use of sheers and detailing including lace, pleating and frillls.
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Gary James Butterfield, University of Northampton
The University of Northampton’s show had bags of personality with quality and variety at every turn, creating a great, enjoyable show.
Students from fashion, textiles for fashion, and accessories strutted their stuff in front of a crowd that included Susie Lau of Style Bubble, the iconic Barbara Hulaniki (Biba), designer Betty Jackson and trend-spotters The Future Lab and WGSN.
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Arts University College Bournemouth
This year’s GFW stand award went to the Arts University College Bournemouth, with runners-up Bradford College and the University of Leeds.
Arts University College of Bournemouth
Upon arriving at the winning stand you are caught between the idea of stepping into a posh London boutique or that of a white wash honeycomb structure. Either way the stand works well as a showcase. The outer walls of the stand are created out of wooden panels, making geometric patterns, with students’ portfolios slotted onto these structures, creating instant shelving.
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Ruth Strugnell, Bath Spa University
Bath Spa University made its catwalk debut at GFW and showcased eleven collections with inspiring detailing and ideas.
Ruth Strugnell’s collection is entitled ‘Comfortably Seated and Wearing Curtains’ and has its focus on sustainable fashion. Ruth explored the use of recycled upholstery fabrics, experimenting with over-dying and patchwork. The shape of the original upholstered furniture pieces inspired ideas for proportion and shape.
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Robyn Egan, Arts University College Bournemouth
Strong print and surface decoration came through in the graduate collections from the Arts University College Bournemouth, with a surprise element of childrenswear, where the tiny so-cute models had the audience cheering wildly.
Robyn Egan’s collection, entitled Natural Protection, is inspired by the layers of a cocoon, where the protective layers of sterile dressings nurture soft skin. Black and white pieces feature striking asymmetry and intricate petal-like layers that extend to face-framing headwear.
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Emma Philpot, Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent showcased a strong portfolio of knitwear collections, with especially noteworthy stories from Emma Philpot, Tiffany Williams and Claire Hartley.
Emma Philpot’s collection looked to dramatic knit structures in tones of grey, accented with scarlet. Shoulders and hips hand knitted-in circular structures to add volume, while a jumble of knitted shapes created a dramatic necklace.
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Alice England, Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool John Moore University (JMU) gave us a wide range of modern, contemporary looks with a young edge.
Alice England’s muses have been Grace Jones, Pac man and the 80s digital world. Pac man sqaures work in tones of grey, white and black, while high-shine plasticised yellow, bubblegum pink and baby blue are used as tape to thread though pieces or become a plaid front to a dress.
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Maria G N Lazari, De Montfort University
Diverse, eclectic and imaginative show with a strong emphasis on prints and accessories. Continuing the De Montfort’s GFW stand’s theme of Lego, the catwalk was striped shiny red and white, a Lego mascot perched on one corner and a slick video played before the show -where styled shots of one of each designer’s garment in motion morphed into each other in a sea of washed colour.
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Denise Nadine Paché, AMD Akademie Mode and Design Munich
The International show created a new and refreshing dimension for Graduate Fashion Week with 5 prestigious institutions showcasing the work of some of their best 2010 graduates.
First up was AMD Akademie Mode and Design Munich with Denise Nadine Paché’s elegant silhouettes for womenswear to open the show. These strong pieces in delicate neutral shades are just one of this talented graduates strengths. Her beautiful illustration and photographic styling work can be viewed on the AMD stand. AMD has four centres in Germany in Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Munich and Berlin and offer courses in Fashion Design and Fashion Design Management.
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Left & Right: Carla Grima, Centre: Alexa Papavasileiou, UCA Rochester
The UCA Rochester show was high-quality innovation in textiles and cutting, with a strong emphasis on drape and dramatic silhouettes.
Grecian-drape dresses by Carla Grima came in water-splattered rainbow-hues from turquoise and deep blue’s to fiery oranges and reds. Carla’s inspiration came from the concept of distortion and she experimented with merging photographs of distorted body parts with the motion of fabric.
Alexa Papavasileiou’s collection in cream and grey with splashes of print in soft apricot brought us softly moulded silhouettes.
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Danielle Ferguson, University of Salford
The University of Salford came up trumps with innovative, dramatic and sharp styling, strong on conception and new ideas.
Danielle Ferguson’s My Inner Child was a real showstopper. Based on the storyline of Sarah Louise Platt from ‘Corrie’ and her teenage pregnancy, the collection mixes the playful with ‘grown-up’ with teddy bear references, pigtails, cartoon outlines and giant spotty bows.
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Anna Louise Moxen, Northbrook College
Northbrook gave us a show strong on textiles, with print and surface decoration. Allied to the University of Brighton, the college always comes through with a good selection of collections.
Anna Louise Moxon’s collection entitled Illusional Subfocus took its inspiration from special effects seen in films, especially computer-generated imagery, 3D animation and Op-Art. Opening out like cut paper decorations, blooming on bodices or expanding to become puff-ball skirts. Layers of discs turn into a bolero jacket worn over a swirling op-art print bodysuit.
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Alice Early, Kingston University
Kingston’s show was eagerly anticipated, and Theatre A was packed to the hilt to see the 2010 graduates. This was a great parade of accomplished, exciting, and professional collections.
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Gina Webster, Birmingham City University
Birmingham City University, staged a fun and eclectic show. Gina Webster was first up, with her layered and structured silhouettes showcasing her colourful, oversized pixel prints. Fur trims were used to add to the flamboyant feel.
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Sophie Lowe, Wiltshire College Salisbury
Salisbury staged a show of interesting contrasts, with this years graduates choosing to champion both hand-craft and commerciality.
We loved Sophie Lowe’s individual collection, which used knitted raffia and ragged, eroded textures in shades of pale straw, grey and silvery-blue.
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Bobby Charles Abley, Ravensbourne College of Design
The Ravensbourne show at Graduate Fashion Week is always a hot ticket, and this year was no exception. Colour, fun and a refreshing irreverence was the hallmark for 2010 – perhaps an antidote for tough times?
Bobby Charles Abley’s strong menswear opener set the scene with neat zipped jackets, ‘speech bubble’ cartoon-bright prints, beetle crusher shoes and brightly-coloured bondage strapping.
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Katie Barrett, UCA Epsom
A thoroughly professional show by UCA Epsom, impeccably styled and stage managed. Sharp tailoring, beautiful finishing and exceptional menswear.
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Amber Hards, UWE Bristol
The UWE Bristol show was preceded by a short film that portrayed the lead-up to the catwalk event in a gritty, realistic format, including its industrial, and sometimes messy side – the splash of paint from screen printing, sewing and cutting machinery took on the exaggerated sound of a steelworks. Toile sessions and crits juxtaposed with the drama of backstage models.
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Naomi New, Northumbria University
Northumbria University’s show was exciting across the spectrum, with mens and womenswear, knitwear and prints all looking strong. Ranging from dramatic to vibrantly colourful, through to the precise and subtle – it was a show filled with stellar collections.
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With alumni such as fashion’s new crush Holly Fulton and Graeme Black, Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) has garnered a strong reputation over the years and this year’s show only enhanced their position as one of the best fashion colleges in the UK. From 3D fabric to cutesy candy stripes, this year’s graduates’ collections were creative, powerful and well put together.
Eliza Borkowska, Edinburgh College of Art
Eliza Borkowska’s geometric angles and carefully crafted fabrics in a palette of on-trend white, cream, light gold and sky blue demonstrated real mastery of the fabric. Her technique of folding and shaping the fabric in a paper-like manner and adding angled detail to the hips of trousers or shoulders of a jacket showed the potential of 3D clothing.
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Sara Wadsworth, University of Central Lancashire
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) show was an upbeat affair, which was strong on printed textiles and ended with a fun, flurry of patriotic fervour. Sara Wadsworth’s floaty layered pieces were a showcase for her great oversized prints of London landmarks. Big Ben, The London Eye and the Union Jack flag featured throughout, but red, white and blue was banished in favour of black and white with teal and off-beat yellow. Shapes were simple, draped and layered with kaftans; floaty dresses and sweet shorts the order of the day.
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Enuvierhire Sophia Orere, University of East London
The University of East London (UEL) opened Graduate Fashion Week in triumphant style, proving that the forthcoming Olympics isn’t the only reason why eyes should be firmly fixed on the East of London.
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Carly Ellis, University of Westminster; Rebecca Thomson, Manchester Metropolitan University; Kitty Keay, Colchester School of Art; Phoebe Thirlwall, Nottingham Trent University; Garry Butterfield, University of Northampton
Top photographer Rankin has create this year’s GFW campaign images, using looks chosen by Dazed and Confused fashion editor Katie Shillingford. The shoot images feature students’ work from the University of Wales, Colchester School of Art & Design, Nottingham Trent University, Birmingham City University, Kingston University, De Montfort University, University of Northampton, University of Westminster and Ravensbourne College.
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Northumbria University GFW show 2010 invite; Alice Early, Kingston University, 2010 graduate
Taking place between Sunday June 6 and Thursday June 10, Graduate Fashion Week (GFW) celebrates the work of over 1000 fashion graduates from its 61 member universities and colleges in the UK and Internationally. ARTS THREAD works in partnership with GFW and this June will be hosting our blog live on the GFW website too!
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