THERE’S a wealth of young design talent graduating every year from the nation’s universities and arts colleges.
Many of them seek jobs in fashion, furnishings and the art world but struggle to get their names known.
However, Huddersfield University graduates Ashlie Dixon and Rachel Wotherspoon are hoping to change that.
They’ve created a website called Tout Nouveau to showcase new, original works by graduate designers from all over the country.
The website, created as a final year degree project by Ashlie and Rachel who were both fashion, media and promotion students, was officially launched just before Christmas at an event in London supported by a group of illustrators from Huddersfield University known as the Crim Collective. The illustrators, managed by lecturer Paul Heyes, were sponsored by the university to produce large scale promotional works for the new business.
Tout Nouveau has previously been nominated for a Strategic Marketing Award at London’s famous Graduate Fashion Week.
Ashlie, 24, and Rachel, 22, now Leeds-based, have so far recruited 37 designers to show and sell their work on the website.
“It’s something that I had in mind for quite some time,” said Ashlie, who teamed up with Rachel while on a work placement.
Their site offers new talent an opportunity to work independently.
“The creative industry is run on internships,” said Ashlie. “We are offering designers an alternative way to get their brand noticed.”
The entrepreneurs are now seeking designers for their spring and summer collection.
