EXCLUSIVE| Fashion Scout Graduate Showcase Designers Confirmed

Fashion Scout can now announce the SS15 Graduate Showcase complete line-up.

Alongside the Merit and Ones To Watch awards, the Graduate Showcase was chosen by a panel who unanimously decided on the collective, including Hilary Alexander, Robert Cavell-Clarke from Not Just A Label, Judith Tolley of CFE, stylist Rebekah Roy and Fashion Scout Director Martyn Roberts. This season's completed line up is made up of 11 Graduates, who include: Anita Hirlekar; Camilla Grimes; Charlotte Knowles; Emma Hardstaff; Grace Weller; 
Holly Jayne Smith; James Kelly; 
Luke Bullen; Ondrej Adamek; Rebecca Swann and 
Quoi Alexander.

A launch pad for new graduate talent, the Graduate Showcase during Fashion Scout is a platform to raise the profile of recently graduated emerging talent. Following Graduate Fashion Week, Fashion Scout is one of the first places to see the very best new UK Graduates and will take place in Fashion Scout's venue at the Freemasons’ Hall in Covent Garden during London Fashion Week.

Grace Weller from Bath Spa University (above) was announced as the GFW 2014 Gold Award winner with Philip Treacy OBE presenting the Award to Grace during GFW.

Anita Hirlekar's, previous designer of the Vogue X Muuse collaboration, collection included complex textural architecture which was balanced beautifully by the simple bold stokes of colour throughout.

Charlotte Knowles' collection saw dark, structured gowns offset with ethereal, sheer chiffon and thousands of tiny pins to create a picture of dark creatures. She graduated from the London College of Fashion.

Emma Hardstaff, having previously studied at Edinburgh University, won the David Band Textiles Award at GFW. Now, having completed her Masters’ at the Royal College of Art in London, she will show her latest collection as part of the Graduate Showcase.

Rebecca Swann of Nottingham Trent University (above) offered a textured collection of monochrome woven knits with a tactile quality and was presented at GFW 2014 with the Stuart Peters Knitwear Award. Swann is amongst some of the most notable graduates from Nottingham Trent with Aimee Dunn, Natasha Gilliland, Nga Wun (Kitty) Mok, Haomeng (Vicky) and Deng.

James Kelly is a designer with a huge interest in the strange, dreamy and ambiguous in which his collections include explorations of texture and shape.

Camilla Grimes was awarded the Creative Catwalk Award by Not Just A Label’s Stefan Siegal during GFW 2014 for her giant pink jackets and amazing faux fur pieces.

Luke Bullen, LCF graduate's collection contains delicate white sheets with unfinished hems, with the models’ faces only just visible underneath these unique creations. His collection combine a mix of the ethereal and the dark.

Ondrej Adamek produces colourful, origami-like creations that often tower above his models' heads or obstruct their faces entirely. He was awarded with the L'Oreal Professionnel Creative Award, whose judging panel included designer Christopher Kane at the Central Saint Martins graduate show.

Quoi Alexander, Central Saint Martin’s graduate, produces collections that work with an array of pieces made from woven neon ribbons, coiled tape and net.

And lastly, Holly Jayne Smith from Birmingham City University featured high hats and bold prints along with monochrome stripes and cut-out details throughout GFW 2014. An aesthetic she's sure to bring to the Graduate Showcase.

Be sure to keep up to date with everything SS15 on the blog, our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

By Lauren West 

Images, courtesy of the designers

COLLECTION| International Catwalk Competition at Graduate Fashion Week 2014.

Adriana Perelli Gonzales - Istituto Marangoni Milan

Sabrina Pilkati - Academia Di Costume E Di Moda

Shan Liao Huang - Shih Chien University 

Claudio Cutungo - IED

Jessica Tarisch - Istituto Marangoni Paris

On the final day of GFW 2014, the International Catwalk Competition hit the runway. A stunning explosion of print, colour and texture from universities across the globe, the show was testament to the talent of our international counterparts. 

Highlights included Adriana Perelli Gonzales' ‘Afro-Cuban Beats’ collection, inspired by an Afro-Cuban jazz song. Gonzales’ collection overflowed with character as Cuban and African culture collided to form an eclectic combination of texture and print. Lively prints were adorned with feather, fur, beads and hand stitched embroidery. Orange, yellow and green tones featured heavily throughout and black provided a backdrop for a sea of ethnic print. A playful banana print was also worked into the collection. Feather cuffs and floral headpieces beautifully complemented Gonzales’ ethnic fusion. 

Sabrina Pilkati showcased a minimal, architectural aesthetic within her collection. Ultra high neck details in caviar leather were featured extended from mesh tops. Deconstructed silhouettes set the tone for Pilkati's collection. Leather and fleece fabrics were juxtaposed in designs from across the collection with panelling and curved zip details adding a sense of deconstruction and garment manipulation to each look. A particular highlight came in the form of a cream coloured coat with extended, structured shoulder detail. A colour palette of red, black and cream formed shell-like encasings which strikingly manipulated the female form. 

Shan Liao Huang used a limited colour palette of strictly grey tones throughout her collection. Featuring both mens and womenswear, Huang’s designs exuded a feeling of androgyny. Silhouettes were oversized, particularly in the shoulder area and garments were padded throughout the collection with Huang’s jacket designs resembling that of baseball jackets in terms of silhouette. Graphic black and white print was displayed in singular sections within each look. A distressed aesthetic set the tone for Huang’s collection which favoured a use of feather applique detailing, metal box bags and panelling to create a look reminiscent of modern armour.

Claudio Cutungo favoured a dramatic use of black in his collection. Mesh, feathers, lace and vinyl black detailing added to Cutungo’s striking aesthetic. Cutungo’s designs featured floor length designs in a contrasting array of textures, with heavy wool coats being juxtaposed against softly ruffled sleeves. Accentuated waists gave added form to an otherwise straight silhouette and vinyl black hats complete with lace detailing perfectly complemented Cutungo’s look.

Jessica Tarisch presented a traditional collection, taking inspiration from the Alpine region in which she grew up. Heavy flanneled fabrics were given a feminine twist as they were combined with softer silk pieces throughout the collection. Knitted crochet finishes offered a feeling of tradition to Tarisch’s collection and a traditionally feminine silhouette complete with cinched in waist added to a sense of culture - with heavy fabrics being reminiscent of the hiking clothing that Tarisch encountered growing up. Patchwork elements and a muted colour palette effortlessly complemented Tarisch’s homespun aesthetic.

By Charlotte Muscat, (@CharlotteLM9).
Images by Tram Nguyen, (@TramNguyenP).

NEWS: Tickets Still Available for GFW 2014

With GFW 2014 only a week away now, there's not long left to purchase tickets to the event.

Taking place between Saturday 31st May and Tuesday 3rd June 2014, GFW will take a major step forward with an exciting new venue - The Truman Brewery, London E1. Located in the heart of London’s buzzing creative district in East London, the Truman Brewery is a stunning industrial building that is conveniently positioned for the fashion industry.

For four days, the atmospheric venue will play host to the largest showcase for fashion graduates from across the UK and internationally. Those among the likes of Gareth Pugh and Agi & Sam are already confirmed as speakers for the event, as well as talks from Fashion Monitor, Drapers and the Evening Standard. Whether it's the stunning catwalk displays, the impressive exhibition space or the live mentoring, studio shoots and immersive talks from industry leaders, it's not an event to be missed.

This year, we have partnered with Vogue Italia Talents to present the International Catwalk Competition 2014. A show in which the world’s leading fashion universities are invited to enter their top graduate collections, it's set to be a fantastic display of innovative international design talent. The judging panel is headed by Sara Maino, Senior Fashion Editor from Vogue Italia and will include other industry experts including Prof. Wendy Dagworthy (RCA). 

By Josh Walker, Editor, (@josh_walker_).

Images, Graduate Fashion Week 2014 Preview Shoot. 

NEWS| Tickets On Sale For The International Catwalk Show

Tickets for the GFW 2014 International Catwalk Competition are now on sale HERE.

We have partnered with Vogue Italia Talents to present the International Catwalk Competition 2014 at Graduate Fashion Week in May. A show in which the world’s leading fashion universities are invited to enter their top graduate’s collection, it's set to be a fantastic display of innovative international design talent. The judging panel is headed by Sara Maino, Senior Fashion Editor from Vogue Italia and will include other industry experts including Prof. Wendy Dagworthy (RCA). 

For this year's event, the atmospheric Truman Brewery will play host to Graduate Fashion Week 2014. The largest showcase for fashion graduates from across the UK and internationally, it's the perfect place to immerse yourself in upcoming talent. Whether it's the stunning catwalk displays, the impressive exhibition space or the live mentoring, studio shoots and immersive talks from industry leaders, it's not an event to be missed.

Tickets are going fast so be sure to grab yours soon!

By Josh Walker, Editor, (@josh_walker_).

NEWS| Graduate Fashion Week International Catwalk Competition Opens

We have partnered with Graduate Fashion Week and Vogue Italia Talents to present the International Catwalk Competition during Graduate Fashion Week 2014. 

The world’s leading fashion universities are invited to enter their top graduate’s collection. Each of the selected universities can enter just one graduate collection into the competition. The judging panel is headed by Sara Maino, Senior Fashion Editor from Vogue Italia and includes other industry experts including Prof. Wendy Dagworthy (RCA).

The prize for the winning collection is £1,000 for the graduate and £500 for the university plus the collection will be exhibited on our catwalk at Freemasons Hall during London Fashion Week in September 2014.

This year, Graduate Fashion Week will be held at the Truman Brewery, in the creative hub of London. The world's largest showcase of graduate fashion talent, it will feature 42 universities and 20 catwalk shows and has launched the careers of those among the likes of Stella McCartney and Christopher Bailey. 

The Catwalk Show and Judging will take place at GFW on Tuesday 3rd June 2014.

For full details and to confirm your interest, please email competition@gfw.org.uk for further details.

By Josh Walker, Editor, (@josh_walker_).