Jigsaw and Pongees join forces for student design project

Fashion retailer Jigsaw and silk fabric specialists Pongees have joined forces with the British Fashion Council to give students the chance to design a capsule range of eveningwear, which could form part of Jigsaw’s autumn collection.

The British Fashion Council Colleges Council has invited its member colleges to each forward one standout student application to design an eveningwear piece for Jigsaw, using silk supplied by Pongees, with the piece inspired by “the beauty of things made by hand, such as sculpture” - one of themes that has inspired Jigsaw’s designers.

Commenting on the project, a spokesperson for Jigsaw said: “We are hoping the students will push the boundaries of pattern cutting, taking inspiration from origami, fabric manipulation, pleating and folding.”

To support the competition and inspire the collections, Pongees has created fabric swatches to complement Jigsaw’s autumn palette and show the range of silk crepes, satins and tulles that are available.

“We can’t wait to see just how adventurous the students will be in their use of silk,” added Will Steele, managing director of Pongees. “Silk is often viewed as a classic fabric but we expect to see anything but classic designs in the entries.”

Jigsaw launches student design competition

The winning graduate’s design will be featured in at least one of Jigsaw’s store windows and promoted via its social channels, as well as form part of the retailer’s autumn collection, which goes on sale in September.

The competition comprises of several judging stages. For the initial judging, students need to submit six to eight coloured outfit illustrations and one detailed specification with measurements for a contemporary evening dress, together with fabric choices.

The students selected to go forward to the next stage will then be asked to make a presentation to the judges, who will select three to five designs, which will be made up into garments, from fabric supplied by Pongees, for the final judging selection.

Image: Jigsaw