As Graduate Fashion Week 2018 came to a close with the Gala Awards Show, many graduates from across the country were presented with awards, from menswear and textiles to social media and new media. One of the primary catwalk awards, is that of the Debenhams Menswear Award. Following in the footsteps of Daniel Rynne, who won the award last year, was Hannah Gibbins, of Brighton University.
The Debenhams Menswear Award was presented to Hannah, along with £5,000 and £1,000 for her university, for her distinct product development and creative textile design. The judging panels was made up of Debenhams senior staff, alongside members of industry from media to designers. The award was judged by Steven Cook, Head of Fashion & Home, Debenhams, Alistair Waite, Senior Menswear Designer, Debenhams, Jim Chapman, Blogger, and Sam Carder, Fashion Editor, Shortlist.
“Amazing, it's so nice to be working on something for years and to have received such a great response to it."
Hannah Gibbons
After being chosen to participate in the Best of GFW18 show, featuring 25 selected collections rom across the week, the judges felt that Hannah's collection was the perfect demonstration of the brief. They were looking for an outstanding menswear or mixed collection, which clearly demonstrates an exceptional ability in a mixture of talents, including design, cut, craftsmanship, colour and fabric.
Watch this space as we begin to speak with all of this year's award winners to find out what encouraged them to become designers, where they find inspiration and where they plan on heading next.