DMU graduate collections delight Royal party at Jubilee fashion show plus

The Queen and Duchess of Cambridge watched with delight as collections designed by four of DMU’s graduates graced the catwalk at the fashion show staged to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

Already making their mark in the fashion world, the four alumni from DMU’s class of 2011 were selected to showcase their stunning creations at a fashion show when the Royal party came to Leicester for the start of Her Majesty’s jubilee tour of the UK.

Two of the graduates, Sarika Pancholi and Shivani Chavda, have internships at Vivienne Westwood.

Sarika Pancholi, 23, from Rushey Mead, Leicester, said: “It was such an amazing opportunity to show my collection to royalty; it has been such a privilege to be part of DMU and part of this.”

Sarika won the prized David Band Award for her innovative knitwear collection at Graduate Fashion Week 2011.

Shivani, 24, from London, was named Young Designer of the Year at Clothes Show 2010 and had her collection shown in Harrods and Warehouse’s flagship shop in London after winning the British Council’s Warehouse competition last summer.

Ume Sacranie, 23, from Hamilton, Leicester, also showcased her designs. She had one of her designs sold in New Look stores after being named Textile Designer of the Year 2010 and is preparing to launch her next collection.

Before being picked for the royal fashion show, Becky Burton, 22, from Otley, West Yorkshire, had seen her collection showcased on the catwalk at Graduate Fashion Week 2011, and is now working for high street store Coz.

Dr Julie King, Head of Fashion and Textiles at DMU, said: “We are very proud of our award-winning students who go on to jobs with the biggest fashion names around the world, and it is a delight to know that both the Queen and Duchess saw some of the innovative and excellent collections which our graduates make in their final year of study with us.”

After the Royal party left the fashion show, the audience and other VIP guests including designer Karen Millen and Marks and Spencer’s Executive Director General Merchandise, Kate Bostock, saw stunning collections on the catwalk from 11 other Fashion Design and Contour Fashion graduates:

Phoebe Blockley-Campton

Sarah Greenwood

Lewis Barrett

Sophie Kempner

Sally Best

Caroline Hisp

Felicity Smith

Vikki Hirst

Kirsty Groombridge

Rose Cherrington

Lauren Pharoah