Nottingham's emerging designers showcase latest designs

Oriental inspired knitwear, hair adorned skirts and men’s military style fashion were part of the line-up of collections the 80 Nottingham Trent University students displayed on the catwalk as part of their final-year degree festival, New Talent Unleashed.

The catwalk shows featured work from the BA Hons Fashion Design and BA Hons Fashion Knitwear Design and Knitted Textiles courses. Designer’s exhibited the creative flair and technical skills they’ve gained to create six outfits for their collections. Concepts ranged from lingerie to tailored women’s wear.

The 24 best designers from the shows will exhibit their work on the runway at the world’s leading event for fashion graduates, Graduate Fashion Week, taking place at Earls Court in London, from 2-5 June.

A selection committee, who will decide which designers makes it to the prestigious fashion event, include Nottingham Trent University graduates Alice Wedge, a design assistant from Vivienne Westwood, and Nicole Murray, a studio manager from Preen, as well Dawne Stubbs, a fashion and knitwear design consultant for established heritage brands such as Barbour.

Alice Wedge, said: “The collections on display were very strong and really varied in terms of concept and design. Many stood out for their realistic approach, commercial focus and creativity. It’s great to see that the students are being encouraged to express themselves as designers and individuals, an approach that Nottingham Trent University is highly regarded for within the industry.”

Ann Priest, pro vice-chancellor and head of the College of Art & Design and Built Environment, commented: “The catwalk shows are always a great start to the launch of our degree shows. They give a terrific insight into the ideas and creativity that our innovative fashion and knitwear students use to create their individual collections.

"The collections draw directly on the skills and experience gained through a wealth of industry-led projects, which ensure that our graduates are fully aware of the needs of the industry on a global level and have all of the attributes needed by future employers.”

Work from other fashion students will be exhibited during the New Talent Unleashed festival.

Over 1,300 students from across 20 courses will be exhibiting at the School of Art & Design and School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment final-year showcase.  Displays will span design and creative practices including sculpture, painting, illustration, graphics, photography, architectural design projects, futuristic products and cutting-edge furniture and interior solutions.

Contemporary thinking in fashion business, marketing and communication, directional fashion, knitwear and textile design, decorative arts, print, moving image, theatre and digital design will also be on show.

Nottingham Trent University