HUDDERSFIELD town centre shoppers will be able to browse a unique collection of original fashion from tomorrow – and it’s all the work of Huddersfield University students.
Until the end of April Kingsgate shopping centre is playing host to Fashion Star 11, a competition to showcase garments created by the young designers of tomorrow. Members of the public will be asked to vote for their favourite.
A similar competition two years ago proved to be so popular it attracted 4,000 votes.
Six contestants were chosen for this year from fashion design students currently working on their final year collections at the university and each was invited to submit a completed outfit.
“The competition is really good exposure for them,” said fashion tutor Claire Evans. “It also gives the people of Huddersfield a chance to see what we are doing here. They get a chance to see the garments really close up and get a taste of what’s being predicted for the future.”
Students were asked to come up with their own brief and give full rein to their imagination.
The challenge has been organised by Basilica Marketing on behalf of Kingsgate and the winning student will win a top prize of £500.
The six finalists – bidding for shoppers’ votes – are:
Katie Webb, 22. Her collection is based on the oriental art of paper folding, origami. Using 87 separate layers of silk paper fabric and foil leather, Katie says the evening gown she chose for the competition has a “simple, Japanese and minimal feel about it.” She spent her sandwich year working for a womenswear company and would like to work in design after graduating.
Leah Greenwell, 22. A fashion and textile student, Leah says she was inspired by the Ballet Russes to produce an ethereal, antique collection. Her ‘Kingsgate’ dress in silk jersey and georgette, has a hand-knitted top which she says “took hours and hours” along with knotted straps.
Leah plans to look for work as a designer and spent her year out at a fancy dress manufacturer. “Some of my designs were sold in George,’’ she said. “It was great fun.”