Up & coming designers backed by industry leaders
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The event sees fashion industry experts pick out the next generation of designers from the best of the new fashion graduates and is renowned for launching the careers of some of the biggest names in fashion including Stella McCartney and Julien Macdonald.
This year GFW takes place from 7-10 June at Earls Court II, with 44 universities and colleges exhibiting but just 18 of the best including DMU selected to stage catwalk shows.
Karen Millen will be attending DMU’s catwalk show and champagne reception along with up-and-coming designer Katie Eary. Katie graduated from DMU’s Fashion Design course in 2006 and since then has successfully made a name for herself in the industry with her architectural approach to couture.
Her designs have appeared in high profile magazines such as Vogue, Dazed & Confused and Surface and her creations have been worn by model Kate Moss and singers Lady GaGa and Roisin Murphy.
Pieces from Katie’s Autumn/ Winter 2009 collection were featured as one of the main installations at the MAN show at this year’s London Fashion Week and last year Katie was commissioned by Selfridges flagship store on Oxford Street, London, to create nine pieces for their window display.
Katie said: “I learned a lot during my time at DMU and it has really helped me reach my goal of being an independent designer. The lecturers go out of their way for you and really strive to help you to make links with people in the fashion industry. I am really looking forward to seeing DMU’s show at GFW and checking out what this year’s students have created.”
Karen Millen said: “It’s been a joy to participate in the selection for DMU’s catwalk show and to witness the enthusiasm and excitement emerge from a new generation of designers.”
Collections hitting the catwalk this year include Kayleigh Ross’ designs which are inspired by North American and African tribes and include feathers and real hair, and Harriet Anderson’s elegant and feminine work, inspired by Istanbul, the city she grew up in.
Amy Sidgwick, who showcased her work on DMU’s catwalk show last year, is already securing a name for herself in the industry after launching her own fashion label a.m.i and landing two of her dresses on the fashion retail website asos.com
Julie King, Head of Fashion at DMU, said: “We’re delighted that Karen and Katie will be there to see 17 great students showcasing their designs as such a prestigious event. It will be inspiring for the students to meet them both and hopefully it will show them what can be achieved in the industry with dedication and hard work. Our graduates go on to have amazing careers and I think both Katie and Amy are proof of this.”
DMU students’ designs have also impressed high profile fashion photographer Fabrice Lachant who has captured their designs for the University’s fashion brochures for the third year running.
Fabrice is well-known for his campaign celebrating ten decades of fashion for the London Underground and his photos regularly appear in magazines such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Elle.
DMU will also bring its GFW fashion show to Leicester on Wednesday 17 June and will stage another catwalk show on campus to showcase the Contour Fashion students’ designs on Tuesday 16 June.
Image: GFW Karlie Symone