Here at Graduate Fashion Week, we not only have UK based institutions, but many from around the globe! Our International Fashion Award Show this year takes place on Wednesday 6th June in the Truman Brewery, Shoreditch, and features over 50 international universities, from Australia, USA, China, Russia and more.
At GFW18, we have over 150 judges selecting talented designers, communications graduates and many more, for our awards. The Swarovski International Fashion Award, sees one international student receive £1,000! Today we have announced our judges for the award and with representatives from brands such as Ralph Lauren, Dior and Vogue Italia, it's going to be a tough panel to impress. Find out more about the panel, and what they'll be looking for below!
Sasha Kelly, Senior Vice President of Design - Men's Polo Brands, Ralph Lauren Collection and Sport, Ralph Lauren
Having joined the iconic brand in 1997 as a Outerwear Design Manager, Sasha Kelly has held many positions in the world renowned brand. For 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets, including the instantly recognisable polo shirt.
Giuseppe De Gennaro, Head of Haute-Couture, Dior
Former student at one of our international member universities, Accademia Costuma Moda , Giuseppe De Gennaro will be joining the panel, to aid in deciding which student will follow the footsteps of Po Chieh-Chiu. at GFW17, Po, graduate from Shih Chien, won £1,000 at the event last year.
Sara Sozzani Maino, Deputy Editor in Chief Vogue Italia, Head of Vogue Talents, VOGUE IT
Sara Maino is the deputy Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Italia and head of Vogue Talents. She oversees the annual publication of the talent edition and edits the online section on Vogue.it, seeking new talent and working with emerging designers. Having contributed to many global talent schemes and worked on an international level everywhere from Copenhagen and Paris to Berlin and London, Sara's global reach makes her perspective unique.
Stanley Tucker, Fashion Consultant and former Senior Vice President, Burberry
After leaving Burberry in 2006 after 9 years in London, Stanley returned to New York to establish a consultancy agency. With an incredible career in the industry, spanning over 30 years, Stanley's wealth of knowledge is a fantastic resource for the panel. Having established scholarships at The New School’s Parsons School of Design , and using his to creating an endowment for student scholarships going forward, Tucker's commitment to supporting the creative youth of today is unparalleled.
Justin Newlin, Talent Acquisition, Old Navy
San Francisco based, Justin Newlin joined Old Navy in 2013, and is focused on recognising and harbouring new talent. With a career history that includes working for Levi's, Justin brings an American voice onto the Swarovski International Catwalk Award for 2018.
Elinor Renfrew, Course Director, Kingston University
A Graduate Fashion Week Trustee, Elinor Renfrew has taught at many fashion institutions throughout her career, including Edinburgh College of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and Ravensbourne. Her extensive knowledge of fashion as an academic pursuit has honed an viewpoint that allows the international students work to be seen in the context of the wider fashion graduate industry.
For the full brief and criteria for the award, click here.
Get your tickets to the International Catwalk Award show, featuring over 50 international universities, here.