This year’s winner, Philli Wood showcased her collection at the University of Westminster graduate show in May 2013 to great acclaim. Philli, who grew up in the Isle of Man and studied an art foundation degree before specialising in fashion design, commented: “The collection was initially inspired by the American Indian Inuit. I experimented with large oversized silhouettes and chunky knitwear. I printed images of cable knits onto exaggerated shapes to give the illusion of knitwear. The bright, clashing colour palette was inspired by installation artist Dan Flavin who uses fluorescent strip lights.”
Philli developed her idea of the oversized modern parka, keeping key features such as the welt pockets, drawstrings and orange linings. She played with the scale of the print so the cables range from supersized on the techno parka to more diminutive abstract print on the lightweight dresses. Continuing with larger-than-life silhouettes Philli introduced chunky knitwear, deciding to print the cable knit to make it contemporary; liking the way it created an illusion of knitwear but using lightweight nylon fabrics.
Now in its fifth year, the partnership between Warehouse and the British Fashion Council’s Colleges Council recognises emerging talent in fashion design. The competition asks course tutors from the UK’s leading universities, who are members of the Colleges Council, to submit portfolios from this graduating year for consideration.
The panel of judges comprises Warehouse Design Director Lisa Byrne and Head of Buying, Emily Griffiths; Anne Tyrell, Chair of the British Fashion Council Colleges Council; Clara Mercer, Head of Marketing, British Fashion Council; Anne-Marie Curtis, Fashion Director, Elle Magazine and previous competition winner Daisy Craver, now on the design team at Burberry.
This year’s winner Philli Wood, a graduate of the University of Westminster, joins Warehouse for a six month placement where she will follow the full journey of her collection from the initial design process, through production, campaign creation and the PR and marketing launch. The result is a debut collection and campaign that is truly unique.
For Warehouse press enquiries please contact Natalie Powell
+44 (0) 20 3217 7837
natalie.powell@warehouse.co.uk
For British Fashion Council press enquiries please contact Will Rowley
+44 (0) 20 7759 1968
will.rowley@britishfashioncouncil.com