Q&A
LIPSY THE BEST RED CARPET DRESS COMPETITION | ANTONIA NAE | UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON
Photography: Michelle Marshall
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE NAMED AN AWARD WINNER?
I feel that the competition was really tough as there were many great collections and many talented designers at Graduate Fashion Week this year. I am really excited and truly honoured to have won the Lipsy Red Carpet Dress Award. It is hard to truly express this feeling. It means a lot for me that people got to see my work and more importantly, enjoyed it.
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE GFW?
Since Graduate Fashion Week, I have been involved in many projects and collaborations. I have participated at the fashion catwalk show at British Fashion Volume II, which it was another real success for me. I have also been invited to go to other fashion shows in the future.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE?
In the future, I would like to do a Master’s Degree in Fashion Design, and after that, I want to build my own brand and make a name for myself in the fashion industry. I know it sounds too much and too soon and it will take time and patience, but this is the only thing I can see myself doing for the rest of my life. I believe it is really important to continuously work for what you want and never to give up. As long as you love what you are doing, you will feel fulfilled no matter what.
HAS BEING INVOLVED WITH GFW LED TO ANYTHING ELSE?
I believe being involved with Graduate Fashion Week is the best experience of my life, as it has opened up a lot of doors and offered me a lot of opportunities in the fashion industry; to meet great people and collaborate with them in different types of projects. Being around likeminded people definitely will help me to develop on a personal and professional level.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST HEAR ABOUT GFW?
The first time I heard about Graduate Fashion Week was 5 years ago, when I did my foundation year in Fashion Design. At that time, it was just a big dream for me. A dream that on the 5th of June 2016 it was realised with a lot of work, ambition, love and passion for fashion.