Graduate Fashion Week, the world’s largest showcase of BA fashion talent, recently concluded its four-day event at the Truman Brewery in London from June 12 to 15. Organized by the non-profit organization Graduate Fashion Foundation, the event featured collections from fashion and design graduates representing 38 member universities in the UK.
The highlight of the event was the ‘best of’ catwalk showcase celebrating the ‘Class of 2023’ and recognizing the winning collections. Over 20 graduate awards were presented, with industry professionals and ambassadors serving as judges in various disciplines, including textile design, styling and creative direction, photography, and marketing.
The awards also included catwalk awards for the best collection and highly commended winners from each university’s catwalk show or fashion presentation. These awards were based on criteria such as creative impact, use of color and fabric, and craftsmanship.
Among the standout collections from the ‘Class of 2023’ was Monika Pohorska from Kingston University, who won the Zandra Rhodes Fashion Textiles Award for her womenswear collection titled ‘Voices of Nature.’ Her collection featured nature-inspired prints and mythologies. Harriet Hooper from Leeds Arts University received the Accessories Award Supported by YKK for her intricate ‘Bilateral Being’ collection, which showcased a coat that could transform into a bag, along with a versatile hat and other multifunctional garments.
Additionally, Amy Clunes from Northumbria University was honored with the Hilary Alexander Sustainable Trailblazer Award, paying tribute to the late honorary president of the Graduate Fashion Foundation. Luoyuan Zhang, a graduate from Nottingham Trent University, received the Considered Fashion Award for his silkworm-inspired fashion collection that promoted respect for ecology and nature.
The event provided a platform for emerging talent in the fashion industry, showcasing their creativity and innovative designs.
‘Class of 2023’ winners:
Accessories Award Supported By YKK: Harriet Hooper, Leeds Arts University
Culture And Heritage Award Supported By Burberry Design: Diana Kibangou Obondji, Staffordshire University
Culture And Heritage Award Supported By Burberry Non-design: Nadia Girach, De Montfort University
The Face Excellence Prize: Nothando Ngwawaira, University of Westminster
Fashion Illustration Award: John Owen Hicks, Liverpool John Moores University
Footwear Award: Ciara Spencer, Norwich University of the Arts
Zandra Rhodes Fashion Textiles Award: Monika Pohorska, Kingston University
Digital Fashion Award: Simone James, Manchester Fashion Institute – Manchester Metropolitan University
Fashion Communications Portfolio Award: Eva Quinn, Manchester Fashion Institute – Manchester Metropolitan University
Fashion Marketing Award: Eva Quinn, Manchester Fashion Institute – Manchester Metropolitan University
Fashion Moving Image Award: Ellisha Mason, Norwich University of the Arts
Fashion Photography Award: Temujin Blakeway, Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts
Fashion Styling And Creative Direction Award: Moreen Honest, Norwich University of the Arts
New Business Award: Katherine Millward, Birmingham City University
The Terry Mansfield Publication Award: Kristian Braband, Solent University
Childrenswear Award: Rebecca Frost, Northumbria University
Considered Fashion Award: Luoyuan Zhang, Nottingham Trent University
Creative Pattern Cutting Award: Aimee Mann, Northumbria University
Fashion Innovation Award: Ana Del Rio Mullarkey, De Montfort University
Fashion Portfolio Award: Simone James, Manchester Fashion Institute – Manchester Metropolitan University
The Hilary Alexander Sustainable Trailblazer Award: Amy Clunes, Northumbria University
Sportswear And Leisurewear Award Supported By Gymshark: Madison Brabrook, Nottingham Trent University
Catwalk Winners:
Northumbria University
Winner: Meg Fletcher
Commended: Kira Banks
University of Derby & University of Hertfordshire Joint show
Derby Winner: Sofia Segalla
Hertfordshire Winner: Elizabeth McLean
Bath Spa University & Arts University Bournemouth Joint show
Bath Spa Winner: Erika Roznyte
Arts Uni Bournemouth Winner: Lucy James
Nottingham Trent University
Winner: Gus Beech
Commended: Megan Barnsley
Sheffield Hallam University
Winner: Isabelle Lucy Burton
Commended: Eloise Collett
Winchester School of Art at the University of Southampton
Winner: Xingyan Liu
Commended: Megan Fanning
Birmingham City University & Glasgow School of Art Joint show
Birmingham Winner: Rachel Hunt-Pearce
Glasgow Winner: Charlie Stewart
University of Central Lancashire & Norwich University of the Arts Joint show
UCLAN Winner: Adam Gronback
Norwich Winner: Micheal Rixon
De Montfort University
Winner: Nirawit Vanglert
Commended: Elise Ferretti
Edinburgh College of Art
Winner: Faith O’Hare
Commended: Phoebe Potter
GFW Collective
Winner: Charlotte-Susan Lamb from Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts
Winner: Lydia Gao from Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts
Winner: Harriet Hooper from Leeds Arts University
Manchester Fashion Institute at Manchester Metropolitan University
Winner: James Tree
Commended: Georgia Baker
Liverpool John Moores University
Winner: Paola Preti
Commended: Meg Wooldridge
University for the Creative Arts
Winner: Sara Hegyi
Commended: Ewa Besciak
