Leading lifestyle brand FatFace have partnered with Graduate Fashion Week to shine the spotlight on the next generation of design talent, as part of their 30th birthday celebrations.
As part of the initiative FatFace’s Director of Design, Emma Shaw, set graduates from universities and colleges nationwide a competition brief to design a gender neutral t-shirt that embodies their style and that of the brand. A panel of judges – including designers Henry Holland, GFW Lifetime Patron Christopher Raeburn, Holly Fulton, journalist GFW Industry Trustee Hilary Alexander OBE and Emma – selected four winning designs, which were seen at the Best of Graduate Fashion Week catwalk show on Wednesday 6th June 2018. Hannah Morley, of the University of Central Lancashire, Harriet Bornemann from Norwich University of the Arts, Kirsty Walmsley of UCA Rochester and Lauren Smith from Leeds Art University were the lucky winners, whose work is now being seen by thousands of shoppers nationwide.
“Home grown talent has been integral to the growth of FatFace over the past 30 years, which has taken us from a small company selling T-shirts out of a camper van to a global multi-channel brand. We look forward to supporting the four winning designers in the first steps of their exciting careers."
Emma Shaw, FatFace Director of Design
Design is at the heart of everything we do at FatFace and is in fact part of our vision statement. It is through unique design that we are able to differentiate ourselves as a brand and create newness and innovation for our customers. is is why I am so delighted to be supporting GFW as it supports our next generation of talent.
To create our unique handwriting I believe its imperative that the design team are up to date with macro trends and also keep in tune with catwalks and social media. is ensures that when we are researching many forms of vintage and heritage clothing, fabrics, in fact anything we feel is relevant, it is done with a contemporary filter. By doing this we are able add newness and ensure that the brand remains relevant after 30 years.”
The four winning unisex t-shirt designs are available in selected FatFace stores nationwide and online at fatface.com now. They are available in sizes XS-XXXL and are priced at £25.00. A percentage of the profits from the sale of the t-shirts will go to Graduate Fashion Week, to continue with their support of emerging design talent.