The Considered Design Showcase featured chosen graduate’s collections alongside a Q&A with 5 industry experts. As a showcase that covers many different disciplines, the collections featured a range of innovative designs and materials.
The panel of Retail, Manufacturing and Fashion Design experts covered what considered design means in the fashion industry and their opinion on where it is heading. The industry professionals were in agreement about how design skills can be utilised beyond common design methods. Technology is the source of considered research because the use of technology has a huge importance on all levels of design. Fashion Designer, Christopher Raeburn understood that “it’s an exciting time for graduates” because now is the time when “we have to change the way we’re consuming”. Christopher believes that the future of considered design is dependent on “collaboration and innovation, it has to be about partnership”.
A second member of the panel who works at TU at Sainsbury’s shared her opinion on the popularity of considered fashion and expressed that, everyone has become more aware of the issue. Because of programmes like, “Blue Planet, children are now more aware than ever about harming the planet”. The winners of the Sustainable Denim Competition and the Considered Design Award were announced in this showcase. Niamh Carr from Manchester Metropolitan University won the Sustainable Denim Competition with her classic but considered collection. Niamh’s collection of denim menswear featured pink stitch detail in a classic tailoring style.
Saskia Lenaerts from Kingston University won the Considered Design Award with her up-cycled collection. Saskia won this award because of the “sustainable development journey that her collection reflected”. The pieces had a DIY feel and obvious colonial influences. Created from leather off cuts, Saskia’s collection won the appreciation of the judges because of the innovation that it showed.
Words by Rosie Smith
Photography by Becky Mukerji