Counting Down to Graduate Fashion Week 2013

Well, it seems like our fashion team at Chelsea Monthly are not the only ones counting down to the annual Graduate Fashion Week 2013. It seems like  the University of  Westminister graduates are also excited about the  forthcoming event. The University of Westminster graduate collections will kick start graduate fashion season in style when it hits the runway on Thursday, 23 May, 2013. The BA (Hons) Fashion Design students will showcase their designs in front of an audience of fashion luminaries at the University of Westminster Ambika P3 venue in central London.

This year’s students have benefited from internships at some of the world’s leading fashion houses including Alexander McQueen, Ann Demeulemeester, Burberry, Celine, Donna Karan, Givenchy, Haider Ackermann, Iris Van Herpen, JW Anderson, Lanvin, Meadham Kirchhoff, Proenza Schouler and Stella McCartney.

The University of Westminster graduate runway shows are eagerly anticipated in the fashion world and the BA (Hons) Fashion Design degree course leads the way in producing eminent and creative designers who go on to work across all levels of the international fashion industry. The course has a strong reputation within the industry and previous graduates include Christopher Bailey, Ashley Williams, Claire Barrow and Stuart Vevers.

Last year’s show saw the debut runway collections for both Ashley Williams and Claire Barrow. Ashley Williams’ designs made headlines with her Texan-inspired collection which was modelled by Pixie Geldof and Alice Dellal. Williams presented a kitsch take on Americana and has since gone on to show great acclaim at London Fashion Week in February as part of Fashion East and was named in The Times Power 100 list and The Evening Standard’s “25 under 25” to watch list.

Claire Barrow debuted at the University of Westminster runway show last May before joining Fashion East for London Fashion Week in September 2012.  With commissions for Rihanna and a collaboration with Joseph under her belt, ‘fashion artist’ Claire Barrow is heralded as one of London’s most promising ‘ones to watch’.

Andrew Groves, course director of the University of Westminster’s BA (Hons) Fashion Design, said: “Once again the fashion students have showed great creativity during their time at the University of Westminster and their debut runway collections are a clear testament of their originality and talent.

“Our strong links within the international fashion industry give our students access to prestigious placements with top design houses across the world and provides them with solid experience which they can use to launch their careers in what is a highly competitive environment.

“This year’s graduate show will reveal some exciting surprises, with students taking their inspiration from a diverse range subjects including crushed cars, pagan folk rituals, and the late Princess Diana, this should prove to be a runway show not to be missed.”