FAD | Physics Meets Fashion - 2015 Competition Final

Fashion students from universities across the UK will showcase their physics inspired designs at London Fashion Week next month, as they go head-to-head in the 2015 FAD Competition final.

The catwalk final will take place on Tuesday 24th February at Fashion Scout, Covent Garden, and will see the shortlisted designers compete for £1000 and a top industry placement.

This year FAD challenged students to design a mini-collection of two outfits, menswear or womenswear, which explore the commonalities of physics and design. The 17 young finalists were selected from over 150 student entries shortlisted from 40 UK colleges and universities.

Inspired by a breath of physics theories, many finalists have adopted a scientist’s approach to secure their place in this year’s final. Prash Muraleetharan (University of Brighton) uses fibres treated with thermochromic and photochromic layered dyes to create garments which alter in reaction to a physical or emotional condition, while Katarina Lindell (UCA Rochester) explores otherwise unseen natural morphogenetic processes in her crystallized men’s tailoring. In a similar vein Robyn Yeang’s (London College of Fashion) bio-degradable womenswear takes its cue from Environmental Physics and The Butterfly Effect, while Christopher Clarke’s (Manchester School of Art) tongue-in-cheek entry is inspired by the Yarkovsky effect and 1950’s cold war culture.

Reflecting on this year’s physics brief the finalists said: “The brief really opened my eyes to an area of inspiration which I perhaps would have normally overlooked.” Christopher Clarke

“FAD had a really interesting brief this year. The chance to work with an unexpected, non- fashion topic like physics is really inspiring. I thought out of all the competitions out there, FAD would be the most fun and challenging for me.” Clarise Itoriaga

The finalists have until the end of January to create their garments for the London Fashion Week catwalk. Their entries will be judged by a panel of industry experts including Geraldine Cox, Physics Artist in Residence Imperial College; Professor Clare Johnston, Head of Textiles at the RCA and Tamsin Blanchard, Fashion Features Director at the Telegraph Magazine, who will select one overall winner and two runners up.

Now in its 14th year the FAD Competition continues to challenge fashion students to think outside the commercial box; encouraging them to look to art, culture and wider social trends for inspiration. Previous FAD Competition finalists include acclaimed womenswear designer David Koma; 2014 RCA Graduate and ‘One to Watch’ Emma Hardstaff, and 2010 Graduate Fashion Week winner Rebecca Thomson.

For press enquiries and to secure your show tickets please contact: Fran Lawton | E: fran@fad.org.uk | T: 020 7490 3946

www.fad.org.uk @fadcharity #PhysicsMeetsFashion #2015FADComp

 COMPETITION JURY

Jane Kellock
Geraldine Cox
Craig Spellar
Clare Johnston
Tamsin Blanchard Gemma Metheringham Martyn Roberts

Founder, Unique Style Platform/The Womens Room Physics Artist in Residence, Imperial College London Consultant
Head of the Textiles, Royal College of Art

Fashion Features Director, Telegraph Magazine Chief Creative Officer, Karen Millen
Director, Fashion Scout
CEO, FAD

Maria Alvarez

2015 PRIZES Winner: £1,000

2 x Runners-up: £500

All winners will also receive a free graduate collection photoshoot sponsored by Speos London

www.speos-photo.com

SHOW TICKETS

For the first time this season a limited number of FAD Competition final tickets will be made available to the general public. Visit www.fad.org.uk from Monday 26th January to purchase tickets.

2015 FAD FINALISTS

1

Katarina Lindell

UCA Rochester

2

Ashley Patterson

Bath Spa

3

Alexandra Abercombie

Manchester Metropolitan University

4

Christopher Clarke

Manchester School of Art

5

Clarise Itoriaga

Manchester Metropolitan University

6

Rachael McMurray

Glasgow School of Art

7

Johnson Deng

Kingston University

8

Juniper Lai

London College of Fashion

9

Robyn Yeang

London College of Fashion

10

Prash Muraleetharan

University of Brighton

11

Eleanor Carless

University of Brighton

12

Olivia Overton

University of Middlesex

13

Catriona Pringle

De Montfort University

14

Francesca Phipps

De Montfort University

15

Yeeun Park

Nottingham Trent University

16

Alice Polley

Arts University Bournemouth

17

Lucy Day

Colchester School of Art