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Fab Flash: BFC Announce Scholarship Winner

FabSugarUK — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:00:43 -0700

Graduate Fashion Week may feel like a lifetime ago but this summer's show of graduates is still having a big impact on the fashion industry. Today it was announced that Manchester School of Art graduate Nabil El-Nayal is the lucky winner of the British Fashion Council's scholarship.

The young designer will take up his place at the Royal College of Art to study an MA in Fashion Womenswear. A panel, which included Burberry creative director Christopher Bailey chose Nabil for the scholarship which is part funded by the London Development Agency.

Nabil presented a line of Victorian-nightwear inspired dresses back in June. His pieces closed the Manchester graduate show.

Trend Report: Navy Blue

FabSugarUK — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:00:10 -0700

Another trend to emerge at this years Graduate Fashion Week was the penchant for navy blue. The shade started to emerge last season in time for the party season but it seems we will be awash with the shade by next Spring. I for one am pleased by the trend. It's a great shade on almost anybody and is as flattering as black without being quite so dramatic. Wear it with a bright shade such as yellow or orange to make it more interesting.

Photos by Kirsten Borst

Fashion Graduate Speaks Out: Karlie Symone Whitehead

FabSugarUK — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:00:10 -0700

Karlie Symone Whitehead has just completed a Fashion BA at the University of Central Lancashire. She showed her feminine collection of pastel knitted dresses last week as part of Graduate Fashion Week and we caught up with her to find out about her inspiration and future plans.

What was the inspiration behind your collection? My inspiration was looking at body contour and silhouettes of the female form; I took the shapes and created them with the corsetry wire for a unique and new concept.
I also looked at ballerina costumes to see how the tulle layers are created to give a feminine full look.
I named my collection "Captured Contour" as I felt it captured the mood of my collection perfectly.

To see the rest of her answers

On Our Radar: Graduate Pieces at ASOS

FabSugarUK — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:00:17 -0700

Last week we announced that ASOS would be selling a few select graduate pieces from today, and here they are! The limited edition pieces were made by students from the London College of Fashion. Only one of each piece was made so they're sure to sell out pretty fast.

I've fallen for these floral trousers by Sandra Rojo (£90). They're so cute! I love the red sprayed detail at the top and fell for them when I saw them on the catwalk. Sadly the green silk dress isn't on offer. What do you think of the pieces?

Trend Report: Sheer

FabSugarUK — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:00:19 -0700

If you're not interested in the "latest upcoming designer" element of Graduate Fashion Week then it's a great way to get a sneak preview of the trends for Autumn/Winter. Although the established designers presented their Autumn/Winter collections in February at various fashion capitals around the globe, its easy to forget what was actually on show. So this week provided a quick reminder of the things that are sure to be rocking our wardrobes in just a few months.

One trend which appeared in every single show was sheer. Sheer chiffon was used in a variety of ways from revealing blouses (seen in the middle here) to layering it over bright colours for a slightly muted approach to the bright palette. It was both formal and playful often being oversized for a more flattering look. Obviously, the revealing way in which it appeared on the catwalk is not appropriate for everyday look but it's a great stomach cover up if you are uncomfortable with your shape there. It was mainly styled in a high neck way meaning it might not be appropriate for larger chested women. Try it out this summer with a sheer blouse over a bikini.
Photos by Kirsten Borst

Royal College of Art MA Graduate Show

FabSugarUK — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:00:14 -0700

The Royal College of Art is celebrating it's 60th anniversary this year and yesterday they treated a packed gallery to their fashion graduates MA collections. The show opened with a few pieces from the first year projects in both mens and womenswear. For the menswear students were required to create a tuxedo and the womenswear presented a capsule collection for Oasis.

Much like the rest of Graduate Fashion Week, there was a lot of high quality menswear on show. I particularly liked Siri Johansen's '80s inspired collection which included plenty of stonewash denim and a funky cardigan-jeans jumpsuit.

Abbie Shaw's womenswear line had a Richard Nicoll feel with a sleek silhouette and floral panels. She added a funky edge with oversized zips and exaggerated hips.

To see further images

And the Winner of the Graduate Fashion Week 2008 Gold Prize is...

FabSugarUK — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:00:49 -0700

There was some fierce competition this year for the 17th annual Graduate Fashion week. 29 hopeful graduates were shortlisted but sadly only one could take home the gold prize.

And this year that winner was menswear designer Jessica Au from Ravensbourne college. Congratulations Jessica! Her brightly coloured psychadelic suits brought a breath of fresh air to menswear. The collection developed this seasons' penchant for florals.

To see Jessica's collection and a full list of winners

2008 Graduate Fashion Week: Gala Show

PopSugarUK — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:45:00 -0700

Graduate Fashion Week: Gala Show – And so Graduate Fashion Week is over for another year as the graduates go off in to the fashion design world and attempt to make their mark. There has been some exceptional talent on show this year so even being shortlisted is a tremendous honour. Caryn Franklin hosted the awards with three main prizes up for grabs, the River Island Gold Award, Zandra Rhodes Catwalk Textiles Award and the Pringle of Scotland Visionary Knitwear Award. Read more...

Love it or Hate it: Pixie Geldof at Graduate Fashion Week

FabSugarUK — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:00:41 -0700

Pixie Geldof was the face of this year's Graduate Fashion Week so it's no surprise that she attended last night's gala awarding the best graduates at this years show. She wore a strapless lace prom dress with a pair of shoots (shoe-boots) and her classic short peroxide hair (it seems to be freshly dyed!) What do you think of her style? BigPictures.co.uk

Love it or Hate it: Pixie Geldof at Graduate Fashion Week

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Graduate Fashion Week 2008: Gala Show

FabSugarUK — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:00:18 -0700

And so Graduate Fashion Week is over for another year as the graduates go off in to the fashion design world and attempt to make their mark. There has been some exceptional talent on show this year so even being shortlisted is a tremendous honour. Caryn Franklin hosted the awards with three main prizes up for grabs, the River Island Gold Award, Zandra Rhodes Catwalk Textiles Award and the Pringle of Scotland Visionary Knitwear Award.

To see the entire short list and images