GRADUATE FASHION WEEK 2019 BEST OF SHOW CELEBRATES THE TALENT OF TOMORROW
Twelve university graduates presented with awards at the Graduate Fashion Week 2019 ‘Best Of’ Show
The Graduate Fashion Week 2019 ‘Best Of’ Show took place today, Wednesday 5th June, at 14.30 as part of a 4-day long event from the Graduate Fashion Foundation that works to bring innovative and exciting emerging talent to the world’s attention.
The Best Of show presented the most exciting graduate talent from this year’s showcase including Jasmine Bennett from Northumbria University, Lucy Neville from University of Central Lancashire and Alexandra Fan from Edinburgh College of Art.
As part of the show, twelve awards were presented to twelve graduates by GFW Ambassador and Professor Caryn Franklin MBE with the final Graduate Fashion Week awards, including the prestigious Christopher Bailey Gold Award, to be presented at the Gala Award Show later in the day (due to take place from 19.30).
Now in its 28th year, Graduate Fashion Week bridges the gap between graduation and employment by shining a light on the talent of tomorrow. The organisation is supported by 16 Global Ambassadors and 7 Lifetime Patrons including: Dame Zandra Rhodes DBE RDI, Christopher Bailey MBE, Victoria Beckham OBE, Vivienne Westwood OBE RBI, Nick Knight OBE, Diane Von Furstenberg and Nadja Swarovski.
The Fashion Design Portfolio Award was given to Jasmine Bennett from Northumbria University, who was praised by the judges for beautiful illustrations, 3D elements, good use of fabric prints and strong attention to detail. Judges for the award included; Kim Giangiuli, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at Ralph Lauren, Faye Mitchell, Head of Search for Denza Recruitment, Erika Gomez, Training Specialist at Desigual, Grace Pickard, Talent Acquisition Specialist at PVH and Lucy Salter, Talent Acquisition Manager at PVH.
On winning, Jasmine Bennett says: “It means everything to have won an award today. It means all the hard work has paid off!”
The Fashion Communications Portfolio Award was given to Lucy Neville from University of Central Lancashire who was selected by the judging panel because of her well articulated range of concepts which they felt were creatively, intellectually and smartly executed. Judges for the award included; Sarah Karmali, Digital Editor for Harper’s Bazaar, Emma Firth, Online Fashion Editor ex-Hunger Magazine, Tania Littlehales, PR Director, Beauty Seen and Sarah Morton PR Director at Sarah Morton PR.
On winning the award, Lucy Neville stated: “To even get to the final ten was crazy, so to be shortlisted to the five and then win today is just unbelievable. It just goes to show that all the hard work pays off.”
The New Fashion Media Award was given to Ciara Neale from Birmingham City University whose work was described by the judges as extremely progressive and powerful. Judges for the award included; Fenn O’Meally, Film Maker & Creative for Highsnobiety, Amy Brester, Social Media Manager for ELLE UK, Rosa Kimosa, Fashion Instagram Manager and Scott Wimsett, Partner & Broadcaster for BESPOKE BANTER.
Ciara Neale says: “The inspiration for my publication was the lack of sex education for women and the female orgasm gap in education. There is also a rise in sex educators as influencers on Instagram which I wanted to address in my work. This idea was very personal to me so I’m so happy that my work has paid off. I feel great that this subject has been acknowledged and I’m so happy I’ve won!”
The Sports & Leisurewear Award, sponsored by Tessuti was given to Katherine-Jayne Watts from University of Portsmouth for her unique and thought-provoking research with creative visuals and detail. Judges for the award included; Christopher Morency, Editor-at-Large at Highsnobiety, Ghulam Nabz Khadki, Menswear Buyer at Tessuti, Nigel Luck Former Head of MA Fashion Design at LCF and Jane Body, Director of Colour & Womens Fashion at WGSN.
Winner Katherine-Jayne Watts says: “My collection was based on my grandad’s passion for sailing. This subject is personal and nostalgic for me for many reasons so I’m incredibly happy it’s resulted in a win.”
The Fashion Publication Award, supported by Drapers, was given to Ryan Hyde Norwich University of the Arts who was selected due to his forward thinking business. Judges for the award included; Georgia Murray, Junior Fashion Editor at Refinery29, Joe Brine, Editor-in-Chief of TMRW, GFW Ambassador, writer and professor, Iain R. Webb, Chidera Eggerue, Author & Blogger at The Slum Flower, Nav Gill, London Editor at HypeBae and Emily Sutherland, Features Writer, Drapers.
Ryan Hyde says: “The magazine that I created was a music-based magazine, celebrating the underground scenes of the UK based music generation, as well as having a big arts and fashion emphasis. My tutors really pushed me this year, and although it was a slow process, it all collated in the end!”
The Fashion Photography Award was given to Feiyi Huang from University of Brighton who was applauded by the judges for beautiful composition, use of light, clear narrative across all concepts. Judges for the award included; Photographers Alex Harrison and Lauren Luxenberg, Dennis Lye, Creative Lead at Glamour and Joe Alvarez, CEO and Editor-in-Chief for Ikon Magazine.
Feiyi Huang says: “I was so nervous! I didn’t even think I’d win. I don’t know how to describe my feelings. I’m so glad and really appreciate it.”
The David Band Textiles Award was given to Alexandra Fan from Edinburgh College of Art whose work was described as innovation on another level. Judges for the award included; Polly Leonard, Editor-in-Chief at Selvedge, Christine Hafsten, Design Director at Cath Kidston, Kim Avella, Head of Fabric, Development and Research at Alexander McQueen, Textile Designer, Karen Nicol and Denzel Currie, Designer and Mentor for Creative Talent at Pentland.
The Childrenswear Award, sponsored by Mothercare, was given to Bethany Dodd from Northumbria University for her collection which has been designed to be playful, fun and modern as well as technical. Judges for the award included; Debbie Le, Founder of The Fashionable Plan, Jenny Titchmarsh, Design Manager for Mothercare, Suzanne Bailey, Head of Global Brand for Mothercare and Rachel Owen, Senior Designer for Mothercare.
Bethany Dodd says “My concept was based on children’s independence and inspiring children to be free and creative. I’m absolutely amazed and delighted that I’ve won, I’m so pleased to be a part of Graduate Fashion Week and can’t wait to see what the future brings!”
The Considered Design Award, powered by Farfetch, was given to Jainelly Portocarrero Torres from Ravensbourne University for her innovative social enterprise business model. Judges for the award included; Oliver Spencer, Sustainable Editor and Speaker, Bel Jacobs, Oya Barlas Bingul, Business Development Manager for Lenzing Group and Thomas Berry, Director of Sustainable Business at Farfetch.
Jainelly Portocarrero Torres says: “My inspiration came from my hobby of upcycling fashion. It’s something I’m very passionate about and so important in this climate of fast fashion. I’m shaking I can’t believe I’ve won the award, I’m so happy!”
The YKK Accessories Award was given to Dimitri Gabellier from De Montfort University. Judges for the award included; Molly Haylor, Fashion Market & Accessories Editor at ELLE, Kei Kegami, Creative Director at YKK, Jo Cope, Conceptual Fashion Designer, Footwear Designer, Chau Har Lee and Artist Eeiko Moorer.
Dimitri Gabellier says “I decided to construct a new kind of shoe for my project, having been inspired by Japanese policemen back in the Edo period. It feels incredible to have won, really fantastic.”
The Fashion Marketing Award was given to Bella Bond from University of Leeds whose project was well researched, beautifully executed and had a strong brand narrative. Judges for the award included; Maurice Mullen, Head of Fashion & Luxury Goods at Evening Standard, Jess Wood, Fashion Features Director at Marie Claire, Chimere Cisse, Freelance Communications Expert, Tom Winbow, Managing Director of Ralph Creative, Josephine Gowans-Eglinton, Head of Creative Marketing at Urban Outfitters and Marketing Expert, Pam Wight.
Bella Bond says: “The inspiration behind my idea was educating consumers on the magic of sleep. It was a temperature regulating sleepwear product which had a special technology in it which would regulate temperature to the user. I had a full omni channel marketing strategy so I could get the message across to everyone through every avenue.”
The Fashion Styling & Creative Direction, sponsored by Size?, was given to Aoife Malone from Heriot Watt University. Judges for the award included; Fashion Stylist, Rebekah Roy, Amy Bannerman, Fashion Director at Cosmopolitan, Hannah Craggs, Senior Editor of Youth, WGSN, Peter Kellet, Creative Director at Size? and Celebrity Stylists Kyle De Volle and Jennifer Mertens
Aoife Malone says: “My collection is called 3 Miles Wide and is a call to action for change in Northern Ireland around six different issues that I believe are holding us back from being a progressive society. It feels amazing to win I’m shaking and my mum is going to be so happy!”