Distinctive DMU designs to grace Graduate Fashion Week

Collections by DMU’s Fashion Design students take to the coveted GFW catwalk at London’s Truman Brewery today at 2pm, in front of industry talent spotters, leading fashion houses and journalists. 

Upcycled design by Ross Bester

Following a rigorous selection process, 18 final-year students at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) will be showing their innovative six-piece collections at Graduate Fashion Week (GFW).

Their turn on the coveted catwalk at London’s Truman Brewery will take place on Tuesday 5 June at 2pm, in front of industry talent spotters, leading fashion houses and journalists.

More DMU final year designers will have the chance to show one outfit each on the catwalk and all students will be represented on DMU’s stand with the chance to win prestigious prizes.

Ross Bester's patchwork menswear collection incorporates upcycled denim and shirting, already earning him a finalist spot in GFW's Lenzing Sustainable Denim Competition.

Shelby's menswear collection is a comment on global warming

The 23-year-old, from Stoke-on-Trent, said: "Being chosen for GFW has given me a massive sense of achievement and pride. It's the ultimate validation after three years of hard work.

"In fashion, your work often starts as 2D drawings, so seeing it brought to life on models and shown professionally is brilliant. I can't wait to show the world what I'm all about."

Inspired by global warming, Shelby Wasden’s menswear collection features Tyvek (a synthetic material used to protect buildings during construction), upcycled denim, plastic, waffle fabric and foil textiles.

"It feels great that all my hard work over the last three years will be seen by other people and not just handed in for marking,” said the 22-year-old from Sheffield who completed an internship at GAP's New York headquarters last summer.

"I'm excited to see my own collection on the catwalk, but I'm also looking forward to seeing those by other students around the country. Lots of us already follow each other on social media, so it will be good to meet in person and learn from each other."

Plenty of plastic to see in Danielle's designs

Taking current athleisure trends to the next level, Danielle Mawdesley has created a womenswear collection mixing materials such as plastic and satin, which she says explores the concept of 'glam leisure’.

The 21-year-old from Derby said: "One of the main reasons I chose to study at DMU was the chance to showcase work at GFW. It's not something all universities offer and it was a really important factor to me.

"As well as being a great opportunity, I'm really excited that my friends and family will get to see my collection on a professional catwalk, after supporting me over the years."

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Pui-man Jessica Lee's perfectly imperfect collection 

Pui-man Jessica Lee’s womenswear collection is inspired by repurposing broken objects and embracing imperfections, featuring intricate techniques such as weaving, macramé and lacing.

"When I heard my name called out I felt ecstatic. Even when I was a first-year student helping out a final-year with their GFW collection, it seemed like such a special event to be involved in,” said the 21-year-old from Stratford-upon-Avon.

"Now that it's my turn it feels surreal, but I'm excited to get my name out there and to hopefully get a job out of it. That, to me, is the most important thing."

The students whose full collections will be grace the Graduate Fashion Week catwalk are: Danielle Mawdesley, David Cottington, Anya Parker-James, Katrina Zaharova, Ross Bester, Shelby Wasden, Pui-man Jessica Lee, Melissa Earl, Holly Coutts, Daniela Hutmanova, Alice Horsnell, Brooke Tate, Emma Hubbard, Farrah Highton, Ria Saldeba, Zofia Waite, Paige Stinson and Fraser Miller.

DMU joins more than 40 universities taking part in GFW, which showcases the work of hundreds of the very best young designers and attracts in excess of 30,000 guests each year.