Inclusion & Diversity Spotlight

Meet GFF Talent, Danish Rizal, a final year student at Management and Science University Malaysia. Danish’s final major project is focused around recent sporting events in Malaysia. “I became involved as the chanters' leader for the Malaysian Team and throughout my time there, I was intrigued by the largest stadium in my country's architectural designs” says Danish. Read all about it below!

Meet GFF Talent, Jinwon Park, a final year student at Nottingham Trent University. Jinwon’s final major project is focused around race, nationality and language. “I lived in a situation where I was a majority. Now I have become a minority. I have realised that there is a massive gap between living as the majority and the minority throughout my life” says Jinwon. Read all about it below!

Meet GFF Talent, Renu Sigar, a final year student at Nottingham Trent University. Renu’s final major project is focused around reducing waste without sacrificing the art of the garments. “Even before my final inspiration came through, I knew that I wanted to significantly cut down on fabric scraps when I'm actually making my final garments.” says Renu. Read all about it below!

Meet GFF Talent, Shivangi Agiwal, a Fashion Communication student at Northumbria University. She was inspired to explore her identity as a South Asian woman through her final project, a magazine called Kali. “Kali takes the form of a printed magazine, exploring the quintessence of womanhood and the many contradictions that come with it. It investigates many an issue faced by women, specifically South Asian women like me, visualised through editorial inspired photography and styling,” Shivangi says.

Meet Charnice Blaize, a 2018 Fashion Business and Promotion graduate from Birmingham City University. Charnice talks to Graduate Fashion Foundation about her work growing her company and digital platform and agency, The Blaized Agency.

Meet Krishma Sabbarwal, a 2018 fashion textiles graduate from East London University. Krishma talks to Graduate Fashion Foundation about her work developement since graduating in 2018 and how she continues to be inspired by exploring culture, immigration and sustainabilty within her brand.

Meet Jasmine Kaur Kaila, a fashion design graduate from De Montfort University. Jasmine is exploring her heritage through traditional Sikh crafts, creating a collection inspired by stories of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh. “I wanted to bring back these crafts for contemporary Sikhs like myself and renown them,” says Jasmine. “I came across so many interesting facts, one being that the dye indigo is a Latin word for 'from India'. A dye that is used predominantly in denim, a fabric now associated to be Western however its true origins lie in India.”

Meet GFF Talent, Deborah Odubanjo, a fashion design graduate from University for the Creative Arts. Deborah’s final year collection is inspired by her family moving to the UK from Nigeria in the 1980s, mixing traditional and modern prints together. “I’m inspired by strong bold silhouettes from traditional Nigerian garments and British tailoring that are interpreted through the way fabric is held and pulled in African culture,” says Deborah. “The collection stems from the journey of my dad being born in England, moving back to Nigeria and then coming back in the 1980’s.”

Meet GFF Talent, JiYoon Kyung, a graduate of University for the Creative Arts. JiYoon has launched her own brand, JAEJU which blends traditional Korean craftsmanship with forward-thinking ethical and sustainable design. “JAEJU is inspired by Korean history, especially in traditional colour schemes and techniques of clothing,” she says. “The vision of this brand is to preserve and bring forth aspects of Korean tradition and introduce them to today’s everyday fashion in ethical ways.”

Meet GFF Talent, Tamika Nembhard Martin, a fashion and textiles graduate from University of Portsmouth. Tamika’s collection is a unisex exploration of black history through the ages. She has brought together elements of black culture across generations to educate and inform. “The purpose is to enlighten the uneducated on the history of culture they are none the wiser to. Pieced together the collection translates the story of black oppression throughout history told in a way never seen before,” she says.

Meet Raydian Chew, a fashion design graduate from Middlesex University. Raydian’s collection is inspired by Malaysian kites called wau, which each have their own meanings and symbols and are a traditional past time of labourers in Malaysia which is dying out. “My collection revolves around the concept of wau, dissecting the ideology of the Malaysian kite, making its intricate motifs and bringing elements with emphasis in contemporary designs,” says Raydian.

One of the fashion industry greats, British Designer Vivienne was a passionate supporter of young emerging graduate talent and regularly attended Graduate Fashion Week in her role as Patron, alongside the team from her eponymous label.

Meet Natalie Vest-Jones, a Fashion Styling and Creative Direction graduate from Solent University. Lets see where she is now, two years on from her first interview with us!

Meet Tamera Francis, a fashion textiles graduate from Middlesex University. Tamera’s graduate collection is inspired by her mother and aunts making their clothing at home before going out dancing. The clothes were made quickly and creatively, often falling apart on the dancefloor. Tamera’s knitwear design explores this through dropped lace holes, laddering, experimenting with yarns such as elastics and viscose. She wants to bring more fun to fashion design as well as continue celebrating and exploring her culture through fashion.

Meet Natasha Solanki, a former Manchester Metropolitan university graduate who finished university in 2019. She is now working for a fashion supplier as a junior fashion designer and developer, does freelance design work on the side and is also launching her own brand! She plans to take her graduate collection and design it into a more commercial offering, while keeping sustainability in mind through every aspect of her young business.

Meet Kyra Clarke-Campbell, a fashion styling and creative direction graduate from Southampton Solent University. Kyra’s final year project is a photo book called Uncover(ed) where she has shot a series of subjects that examines culture, fashion trends, personal style and more. “My main message was to be comfortable in you own skin and your sense of style,” she says. “Not having to dress 'down' for anymore or not having the right look for a work place. As a creative i think you should be free to experiment with looks and different styles.”

Meet Adora Lutu, a fashion design and textiles graduate from the University of Portsmouth. Adora’s final year project is a collection called MVMNT, a unisex sportswear offering inspired by Adora’s interest in politics. She explores knife crime, blending streetwear influences from around the world into one collection. Read more about Adora and her work below.

Meet Alarna Foster, a first year student studying Fashion Branding and Communication at Birmingham City University. Alarna’s most recent project was to create a campaign for a brand of her choice, with a focus on communicating a narrative using creative direction and visual literacy. She chose Pyer Moss, the New York based label by designer Kerby Jea- Raymond. Alarna has been influenced by the current social climate, including the Black Lives Matter Movement, COVID-19 pandemic and other cultural issues she feels passionately about.

Meet Sayf Taj, who graduated from Manchester School of Art in 2019 with a BA in fashion art direction. Sayf was a runner up for the Fashion Publication Award at Graduate Fashion Week 2019 for his work celebrating the Queer South Asian he is a member of. Meeting members of the community around the UK inspired Sayf’s final year project “Discreet” as he creative directed, styled and even photographed his subjects.

Meet Yumnah Khan, a fashion design graduate of Birmingham City Univeristy. Yumnah’s final collection is a menswear offering that explores the duality of nature and industrialism, called All Traces of Man. Blending traditional tailoring with sportswear, Yumnah’s collection features knitwear, prints and corrugated fabrics.

Meet Shahfaq Shahbaz, a stylist and photographer who graduated from Southampton Solent University in 2019. Shahfaq is inspired by her Pakistani heritage and Muslim faith in the work she does, aiming to promote greater representation of Muslim women in the fashion industry — whether it’s in marketing campaigns or the catwalk. “Black Muslim women face numerous daily battles (racism, colourism, sexism and Islamophobia) and my work aims to highlight their beauty in their existence despite these awful perceptions and stereotypes of Black women,” says Shahfaq.

Meet Asma Elmi, a fashion promotion graduate from the University of South Wales. Asma’s final project is Al Naaem — an editorial magazine exploring the diverse culture within the black and Muslim community, through articles and poetry which compliments & celebrates the rising cultural diversity within the fashion industry. Alongside the magazine, Asma aims to support young Black and Muslim creatives in Wales through events and a community that has a strong identity. Read more about Asma’s work below!

Meet Kim Chau, a fashion textiles graduate from Middlesex University. Kim’s graduate collection is called Androgynous Army, and is inspired by WWI and exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum in London. Although it’s a menswear collection, Kim wants the collection to appeal to anyone through its pastel colour palette and textiles which digitally weave florals and military camouflage. Read more about Kim and her work below!

Meet Ama Avoh, a fashion textiles graduate of Middlesex university. Ama’s final year collection explores a variety of themes, from her French and West African heritage to her love of comic books. “As a mixed-media knitwear designer, I created knitted and embroidered textiles that the celebrate the rich aesthetic of my mixed-race background as well as tongue-in-cheek energy of comic book superheroes,” she says. Read on to learn more about Ama and her work!

Meet Mathushaa Sagthidas, a design and media graduate from Ravensbourne university. Mathushaa’s work is inspired by her Sri Lankan heritage and her desire to understand her parents’ experience of the Sri Lankan Civil War. Her journey of discovering more about her family history, Tamil cultural traditions and the Hindu religion have taught her to embrace rather than hide these aspects of her life, especially as a young Londoner. Read on to learn more about Mathushaa and her work.

Meet Alisha Kumar, a fashion design graduate from Nottingham Trent University. Alisha’s work is inspired by her Punjabi heritage and the culture clash of traditional Sikh clothing with sportswear. Exploring the idea of heaven, and what it means to her, Alisha’s collection is called “From God’s Own Junkyard.” “The contrast of contemporary and tradition continued throughout my prints and colour palette, using deep tonal colours such as purple and navy with the bashful green and pink hues which I extracted from my initial imagery,” she says. “Overall, I wanted my collection to be a celebration of my Indian heritage and its rich and vibrant culture, but with a fun and playful twist.”

Meet Alex Mpankuli, a fashion design student from Liverpool John Moores University. Alex’s project is called Anthony Caro Structures, and is inspired by two series of work (Seven Decades and The Park Avenue series) by sculptural artist Antony Caro. A six piece womenswear collection, Antony Caro Structures explores Alex’s interpretation of feminine beauty.

Meet Nishan Greyson, a makeup and hair design graduate from Southampton Solent University. Nishan’s final year project, a children’s eBook, aims to celebrate black girls’ hair and encourage them to embrace their natural beauty. Nishan has also created a book focusing on Caribbean culture and food which intends to share the rich and diverse culture of the region with its audience. Read on to learn more about Nishan and her work!

Meet Kiara Oluyole, a fashion design graduate at Nottingham Trent University. Kiara’s work is inspired by the Black soldiers who fought for the British Empire during world conflicts, and the subsequent erasure of that history. Grime culture and youth culture both play a role in her work, looking at the consumption and relationship with Black culture historically and in the present day.

Meet Jessica Anderson, a graduate from Sheffield Hallam University. Jessica’s graduate project is called Lesson 1: Buy the ticket- Take the ride’ and explores the life of anti-heroes and outcasts. Inspired by the down-trodden characters in films like Train Spotting and Fear and Loathing, her message is simple: don’t quit.

Meet Simran Kanda, a freelance fashion stylist and photographer who has worked at London Fashion Week since graduating from Leeds Arts University. Simran is passionate about opening up the fashion industry to a more diverse array of people. Her work often focuses on her heritage as a Punjabi woman, and her relationship with culture, family, religion and representation.

Meet Isabelle Pennington-Edmead, a fashion design student at Nottingham Trent University. Having first hand experience with the Windrush generation, that her grandparents are a part of, Isabelle’s explores the history of slavery in the UK and the experience of families like hers who were impacted by the Windrush scandal. Passionate about sustainability, Isabelle even incorporated old tablecloths and doilies into her collection.

Meet Flo Stanley, a Contour Fashion graduate from De Montfort University in Leicester. Flo’s final year project is inspired by sustainability, religion, opulence and the feminist movement. “I believe that your work should spread a message no matter how small or big, just a small hidden meaning is always nice to have,” says Flo, who has also explored body positivity through her work.

Meet Kiran Samra, a fashion promotion graduate from Ravensbourne University London. Kiran’s final year project is called Fuse, a magazine which challenges stereotypes of British Asian women. Tackling issues that British Asian women face, the magazine is composed of interviews, editorials and shared stories from Kiran’s community.

Meet Vimbai Mbanje, a fashion communication graduate from Birmingham City University. Vimbai’s final year project is a publication called Sonke, from her Ndebele mother tongue meaning “together, all of us, as one”. The publication aims to bring all women of colour together while highlighting their experiences and spreading awareness of the everyday experiences of Black people.

Meet Natasha Bains, a fashion promotion graduate from the University for the Creative Arts, whose British Asian heritage has inspired her photo book final year project called Roses and Marigolds. Using collages, documentary photography and editorials, Natasha explores what it means to be part of the British Asian diaspora, breaking stereotypes and creating new positive representations.

Meet Natalie Vest-Jones, a Fashion Styling and Creative Direction from Solent University. Natalie’s range of skills, from styling to makeup artistry have served her well through her degree, and her final year project. Diversity in the fashion industry is a real passion for Natalie, and it’s something she intends to bring with her throughout her career. “A lot of the inspiration for my imagery is beauty based, and so I think it is really important to show beauty in all different skin tones, sizes, and gender,” she says. “Growing up with multiple cultures in my family (African-American and Danish) has allowed me to find the beauty in being different, and that being different is also more interesting and exciting.”

Meet Natasha Blair, a fashion design graduate De Montfort University. Natasha’s final project is a menswear collection called No Mans Land which were inspired by the cultural traditions she grew up with, such as attending Notting Hill Carnival each year. "No Mans Land is not only a metaphor of what was and still is happening in the world, with a war on race and equality but also the notion that people of all skin colours can come together to make a stand for justice,” she says. “The message I want my project to survey is the idea of embracing and protecting our own identity and also others.”

Meet Zoey Asemota, a fashion design graduate at Liverpool John Moores University. Zoey’s final collection is all about Korean pop, her favourite genre of music. Inspired by the way that K-Pop music not only spreads positivity and joy, but also communicates messages about bullying, mental health, LGBTQ rights, women’s emancipation and more, Zoey’s work is a love letter to the genre.

Meet Melody Uyanga Ramsay, a fashion design graduate from Glasgow School of Art. Melody’s work recontextualises traditional clothing of “colonisers” being worn by people of colour to subvert historical stereotypes. Growing up as one of the only people of colour in a small Scottish town, Melody’s work has a very personal context. “Acknowledging history as an abiding presence in the setting of contemporary life has been a recurring theme within my work - looking to antiquated codes of dress and challenging the inhabited identity, I question how I could subvert socially normative expectations of ‘high’ fashion,” she says.

Meet Shanice Harris, a fashion design graduate from Birmingham City University. Shanice’s final year collection is a menswear collection inspired by the Windrush generation and the story of her great grandfather, who was the first Black man to own his own club on Carnaby street in London. She wants to raise awareness and recognition of the Windrush generation and their profound impact on post-war Britain.