School of Art and Hollings students showcase collections

Manchester Metropolitan University fashion students wowed at this year’s Graduate Fashion Week.

Twenty students from Manchester School of Art and ten from Hollings showcased their collections on the catwalk or on live models during two shows last week.

In front of an audience of the most stylish journalists, talent scouts and industry insiders in the country at the Old Truman Brewery in East London, students shared their work.

Students showcased a range of techniques, including complicated knits, leather work, innovative materials and stunning prints, to create a series of dazzling outfits. Inspiration came from a range of themes including a grandma’s 1970s home, Japanese fishermen, punk fashion and bee keepers.

Manchester School of Art

Susan Atkin and Louise Adkins, Senior Lecturers in Fashion at Manchester School of Art, said: “Graduate Fashion Week is always an exciting time for the School of Art. It gives our students the chance to demonstrate their creativity and talent on a massive stage and it opens so many doors for them. Students have produced a wide range of vibrant collections showcasing a wide variety of design and craft skills.

“Their work was very well received with students being offered opportunities, such as sponsored places on Masters programmes, further discussions and job interviews at places ranging from George to New Look to Versace. This is a reflection of the high level of creativity and standard of skills of our students. A huge well done to all involved.”

The Manchester School of Art students with work at Graduate Fashion Week were: Alice Lacey-Ward, Alice Ramsden, Amy Devine, Ashley Jones, Beth Cambidge, Cavan McPherson, Chelsea Thorniley, Hannah Rodick, Jessica Bachmann, Joana Bustalino, Lauren Glen, Louis Traynor-Selwyn, Marie Minkowski, Natasha Yates, Nicole Friar, Rebecca Browne, Rebecca Grant, Rebecca Spilsbury, Rebecca Webster and Rhea Barry.

Last year, School of Art graduate Hannah Wallace, won the top award, the £10,000 Gold Award, sponsored by George.

Hollings Department of Apparel

Alison Welsh, Head of the Department of Apparel, said: “This year Graduate Fashion Week was busier than ever, the new high profile sponsors and patrons such as Vivienne Westwood enticed large amounts of recruiters and talent scouts to attend. Numerous Hollings students were interviewed for jobs at the show - ten of our design students have already got job offers, and there are more in the pipeline.

“The Fashion Design and Technology students showcased their work in a new format event, where employers were able to feel the garments and talk to the models - it was a huge success.”

Hollings students at Graduate Fashion Week included: Eleanor Rickers, Grzegorz Furca, Lauren Bennett, Lauren Evans, Megan Johnson, Rosie Cullen, Lauren Scriven, Scarlett Walker, Georgia McGirr and Amy Astley. Laura Stanley, Charlotte Wilkinson, Danielle Scott, Jessica Price and Nicola Wright, final year BA Hons International Fashion Promotion students, showed their project #getahead.

Notes to editors

For more information or images, please contact Maryam Ahmed in the Manchester Metropolitan University press office on MAhmed@mmu.ac.uk.