New design talent at Graduate Fashion Week: part 3

Sarka Chaloupkova is from Northbrook College where she has focused on Womenswear. The main inspiration behind her graduate collection is menswear, in particular looking at hobos and tramps. She references her own lomographic photographs

and contemporary drawings of birds and flowers.

Look out for: A design concept based on biodegradability and reducing waste. So materials consist of organic cotton, organic silk, fair trade, and lambswool hand-woven in India by a women’s co-operative. Garments that are vegetable dyed or dyed with AZO-free dyes and sewn up using second hand vintage cotton and silk threads and finished with shell or wooden buttons. A digital printing technique - the most eco-friendly way of printing a material. Reversible designs and styling options to give the customer input.

Ambitions and goals: ‘To ultimately make a name for myself in the industry and set up my own label.’

Chaloupkova says, ‘GFW is an amazing event as it gives all exhibitors and participants a fantastic opportunity to expose the fruits of their hard work. Fundamentally, the event celebrates creativity and innovation, so I am delighted to showcase my collection and get some feedback from the board of key fashion industry insiders. Personally, it feels really satisfying to come to the finale of a very intense but fulfilling year. I have enjoyed every single bit of the design process and the production of garments - the stress and disappointments when things go wrong make the highs even more rewarding. Now I can't wait to see all my garments on the catwalk. This is the end of my studies and I certainly feel nervous about the next challenge of finding a place in a highly competitive environment. What can I say? Ready or not here I come.’