UK Fashion Graduates in Global Demand

British graduate designers are still the most sought after by international employers in the fashion industry, according to supporters of Graduate Fashion Week. Moira Bennigson, founder of Moira Bennigson Recruitment in New York, said; "We are constantly told by the likes of Calvin Klein, Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren: "get us British design school graduates - that's all we're interested in." Design students graduating this summer have already been snapped up by retailers and brands to start work on collections as soon as they complete their courses. Among them is Kristen Fross, from Middlesex University, who has secured a job at Marni. Rachel Bartlett, from Surrey Institute, will see her graduate collection retail in Selfridges, Dolly Rockers concession, Jennifer Bouchardon, from Somerset College of Art & Design has a placement at Balenciaga. Jane Stammers, manager of design, technical and sales at Fashion Personnel, cautioned: "British designers in particular support British graduates and British retail brands give our graduates support too. But it's very cut-throat out there with fewer design positions than graduates looking for jobs." GFW has produced a new magazine to promote graduate talent. Graduate Fashion Week takes place on June 2-5 at Battersea Park Areana, London. Around 900 students will show. For details, telephone 01903 885 478.