The annual Graduate Preview Day, Friday 9th May, saw 28 colleges from around the UK attend and showcase the portfolios of their graduating students. Their work was reviewed by a judging panel of industry experts headed by Chair of the Colleges Council Anne Tyrrell, and included Clara Mercer, British Fashion Council; Massimo Nicosia, Pringle of Scotland; Lauretta Roberts, WGSN; Caroline Burstein, Browns and Sarah Penny, Fashion Monitor.
The awards were presented by Caroline Rush, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council:
The
‘Fashion Monitor Colleges Portfolio Award’ in association with the BFC goes to University of Westminster
The
‘WGSN Digital Presentation Award’ in association with the BFC goes to University of Salford
The
‘BFC Fashion Illustration Award’ in association with Fashion Monitor goes to University of Westminster
Now in its 20th year, Graduate Preview Day highlighted a wealth of new, young and innovative British design students due to be graduating this summer. The event, which provides an invaluable networking opportunity for the colleges, was attended by representatives from ASOS, Burberry, Mulberry, Osman, Net- a-Porter, Fenwick, and media including i-D, Huffington Post and Vogue Italia.
"The calibre of this year’s portfolios has been excellent and highlights the breadth of new talent entering the industry. Supporting emerging talent is one of the BFC’s strategic aims and Graduate Preview Day provides valuable opportunities for colleges to connect with industry experts, as well as providing members of the industry insight into the upcoming talent." - Caroline Rush, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council
"The standard of this year's course portfolios was particularly high and showed the wealth of emerging talent there is at UK Fashion Courses. The development and strength of illustration and digital work is strongly highlighted by the awards. Graduate Preview Day proved a great networking event for the industry and colleges in the great atmosphere of The Hospital Club. The winning colleges were quite outstanding" commented Anne Tyrell MBE
University of Westminster wins the Fashion Monitor Colleges Portfolio Award. The judging panel felt their entry demonstrated the best overall presentation of the students’ work. The University receives two one year subscriptions for their best students to Fashion Monitor, the industry’s leading provider of contacts, news and events.
The WGSN Digital Presentation Award recognises the increasing necessity of integrating fashion and technology and was won by University of Salford.
The winner of the BFC Fashion Illustration Award in association with Fashion Monitor, University of Westminster, will also win two one year subscriptions which will allow the graduating students access to key industry contacts, something which is invaluable for breaking into the industry.
The BFC Colleges Council Graduate Preview Day fosters relationships between graduates and industry. The annual event brings together industry insiders from media, recruitment, retail, design, manufacturing, sales, marketing and PR to preview the work of graduating students who will be entering the job market later in the year. This year Graduate Preview Day was held at The Hospital Club.
For more information please visit
www.britishfashioncouncil.com/collegescouncil
For further information on the Colleges Council, please contact:
India Usher
india.usher@britishfashioncouncil.com
+44 (0) 20 7759 1943
For press enquiries, please contact:
Ella Gaskell
ella.gaskell@britishfashioncouncil.com
+44 (0) 20 7759 1950