Graduate Fashion Week graduates heading to Dubai

Graduate Fashion Week is going global with a partnership with Fashion Forward Dubai, which will see 13 fashion graduates from the June event featuring at the ‘Fashion Forward’ showcase.

Fashion Forward Dubai, the region’s fashion platform endorsed by Dubai Design and Fashion Council and with the Dubai Design District, takes place from October 26-28 and is expected to host more than 18,000 visitors.

As part of Fashion Forward Dubai’s ‘Fashion Future’ showcase, Graduate Fashion Week will be represented by 13 graduates from its UK and international member universities from as far as Italy, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, China, Japan and India.

Each graduate will present their graduate catwalk collections, workbooks, and portfolios, as well as being present at the event themselves, to network with large retail groups, regional buyers, industry professionals, editors and press, international and regional fashion community and consumers in attendance.

The graduates taking part include: Daniel Rynne from Arts University Bournemouth, who won the 2017 Debenhams Menswear Award; De Montfort’s Abisola Akanni; Susan Forrest from Manchester School of Art; Salford University’s Sarah-Louise Francis; and Claire Tagg from UCA Rochester.

There is also a number of Edinburgh College of Art graduates attending: Winner of the Christopher Bailey Gold Award Halina North; Visionary Knitwear Award winner Ruth Williams; and Irene D’Antonio who was award the M&S Womenswear prize.

International representatives include: The winner of the International Catwalk Competition, Po-Chieh Chiu from Shin Chien University, Taiwan; Thamali Dharmawardena from Academy Of Design, Sri Lanka; Diana Aparo from Accademia Costume e Moda, Italy; Yu Liang from Bunka Fashion College, Japan; and Yao Yao from Donghua University College of Fashion and Design, China.

Martyn Roberts, creative director of Graduate Fashion Week said: “We are extremely proud to take Graduate Fashion Week global and to be partnering with Fashion Forward Dubai for their tenth season and first ever Fashion Future showcase.

“Each year GFW sees exciting and innovative fashion designers take over the catwalk and we look forward to sharing their talent and our award winners internationally. This is a great opportunity for our selected graduates as we continue to support them entering the fashion industry.”

Images: courtesy of Graduate Fashion Week