A host of high profile fashion figures, including HFM’s Hilary Alexander, designers Holly Fulton and John Rocha, model Paul Sculfor and TV presenter Myleene Klass, got together this week to judge the annual Graduate Fashion Week gala awards.
Edinburgh College of Arts student Halina North scooped the top prize, the prestigious Christopher Bailey Gold Award, for her innovative womenswear collection made from recycled paper and plastics. She also won the Hilary Alexander Trailblazer award in partnership with Swarovski. A delighted Halina said: “I am over the moon. My collection is sustainable and that’s what I endeavour to carry on in my future designs.”
Two other Edinburgh College of Arts students Ruth Williams and Maddie Williams picked up awards for visionary knitwear and catwalk textiles respectively, with the M&S Womenswear Prize also going to an Edinburgh student, Irene D’Antonio.
The Debenhams Menswear Award went to Daniel Rynne from the Arts University Bournemouth and The George Catwalk to Store award, judged by HFM’s editor Juliet Herd and Helen Low from George, was won by Laura Capello from Bath Spa Unversity.
The awards were announced at a gala catwalk show featuring the top 25 collections from the three-day event at London’s Truman Brewery. Here are the highlights...
Myleene Klass graced the event and looked fabulous in a summer-ready, lemon form-fitting dress from her latest Littlewoods collection. Having made a name for herself in the world of fashion as a designer in recent years, the 39-year-old was the perfect choice of judge for the Mothercare Childrenswear Award prize.
British designer Henry Holland helped judge the TU Sainsbury's Womenswear Scholarship, alongside Rebecca Hitchings, Hannah Mallet and Lucy Moore from TU. The prize went to Laura Gillings, from Bath Spa University, who said of her win: "I'm really excited to work with Henry. Very excited indeed."
Caryn Franklin turned up to Graduate Fashion Week looking ultra-stylish in a floor-length silk black coat and a pair of statement oversized glasses, while her long hair was pulled into a cool up-do and held in place with a vibrant bow.
Among the talented winners - all pictured here - are Daniel Rynne, Halina North and Laura Capello - who won The George Catwalk to Store award, judged by HFM's editor Juliet Herd and Helen Low from George. Other judges at the three-day event included Vogue's Sarah Harris, Sadie Frost and Holly Futton.
Alesha Dixon looked ultra-cool as she attended Graduate Fashion Week. A Global Ambassador of the prestigious awards, the Britain's Got Talent Judge looked every inch the fashion icon in a vibrant red leather jacket teamed with a black crop top and a pair of high-waist jeans. An stylish top bun completed her head-turning look.
Caryn Franklin and Myleene Klass posed with Mothercare Childrenswear Award winner, Catherine Watts, from the University of Salford. Speaking of her win, she said: "I see my future in the fashion industry I see as fun, bright, loud and energetic. I'm just working hard and playing hard. Firstly, I'd like to get a full-time job in childrenswear as a junior designer and I also want to build my own brand part time."
HFM's Hilary Alexander presented talented designer Halina North with the Hilary Alexander Trailblazer award for her innovative womenswear collection created from vibrant hues of recycled paper and plastics. Halina also took away the event's most prestigious prize - the Christopher Bailey Gold Award.
