Graduate Fashion Week has gone global! GFW isn’t just an exciting event that takes place at the end of the university year- we have several initiatives that run throughout the year to support our graduates after university life, to aid in easing them into the industry. Part of this is our most recent trip, accompanied by several award winners from the GFW17 event.
“WE ARE EXTREMELY PROUD TO TAKE GRADUATE FASHION WEEK GLOBAL AND TO BE PARTNERING WITH FASHION FORWARD DUBAI FOR THEIR TENTH SEASON AND FIRST EVER FASHION FUTURE SHOWCASE. EACH YEAR GFW SEES EXCITING AND INNOVATIVE FASHION DESIGNERS TAKE OVER THE CATWALK AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING THEIR TALENT AND OUR AWARD WINNERS INTERNATIONALLY. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR SELECTED GRADUATES AS WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM ENTERING THE FASHION INDUSTRY.”
Martyn Roberts, Creative Director of Graduate Fashion Week
Graduate Fashion Week has formed a partnership with Fashion Forward Dubai for 2017, and twelve of our graduates from GFW17 recently showcased their incredible and innovative collections to an international audience of around 18,000 guests!
Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD) is a fashion platform for Dubai and countries in the Middle East, providing development, exposure and a progressive direction for the fashion industry.
FFWD welcomes international fashion communities, encouraging them to come together in support of Middle Eastern design talent, in order to champion industry discussion and professional development. Our graduates are to participate in a brand new cultural experience alongside getting the chance to meet inspirational, diverse individuals from all over the world.
Our graduates that took part in FFWD 2017 represent the varied, and diverse talent spectrum that GFW showcases each year, originating from all areas of the globe. Many of the graduates won different awards during Graduate Fashion Week and showed great international potential.
The graduates that participated are below!
Halina North, Edinburgh College of Art, Winner of the Gold Award and the Hilary Alexander Trailblazer Award in partnership with Swarovski
Claire Tagg, UCA Rochester, Runner up of the M&S Womenswear Award
Daniel Rynne, Arts University Bournemouth, Winner of the Debenhams Menswear Award
Diana Aparo, Accademia Costume & Moda Italia, Participant in the Swarovski International Catwalk Competition
Abisola Akanni, De Montfort University, Finalist for the Best of GFW17 show
Ruth Williams, Edinburgh College of Art, Winner of the Visionary Knitwear Award
Susan Forrest, Manchester School of Art, Finalist for the Best of GFW17 show
Irene D'Antonio, Edinburgh College of Art, Winner of the M&S Womenswear Award
Thamali Dharmawardena, Academy of Design Sri Lanka, Participant in the Swarovski International Catwalk Competition
Po-Chieh Chiu, Shih Chien University Taiwan, Winner of the Swarovski International Catwalk Competition Award
Yao Yao, Donghua University China, Participant in the Swarovski International Catwalk Competition
Yu Liang, Bunka Fashion College Japan, Participant in the Swarovski International Catwalk Competition
Words by Amber Whitaker