National lingerie chain Boux Avenue has named a De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) Contour Fashion student as its Lingerie Designer of the Year 2018.
Daniella Jayes was handed the prize at the end of Graduate Fashion Week, Europe’s biggest annual showcase for student fashion designers.
Third year Contour Fashion student Daniella, from Leicester, produced her final year collection, called Ethereal, by drawing influences from Gothic architecture and adding floral elements.
She said: "I feel amazing – although I was in absolute disbelief when I was told I had won.
"As a designer you are always looking at how to improve your work so I think the biggest thing for me was being recognised at such a huge event that celebrates all university talent in the UK.
"The exposure that the collection is going to get now is reward for all the hard work I put in. I slaved for that collection!
"The Contour Fashion course is incredible and I think it has been one of the biggest challenges I will ever face in my life. It was intense work and I feel I pushed every boundary. The great thing is I really know I am prepared for the industry now.
"I went to Hong Kong with #DMUglobal to look at Clover International and there have been many other events I have been involved in.
"I do not know of many people who have graduated from other universities who got the experience and support that I did. I feel DMU has been good for my career."
As well as Graduate Fashion Week, Daniella also joined up with 21 colleagues from the course who saw their collections appear at a catwalk show in Covent Garden in front of big industry names.
DMU’s Contour Fashion course has a global reputation for producing outstanding graduates. Last year it celebrated its 70th anniversary, making it the oldest course of its kind in the world.
DMU graduates can be found working for ASOS, Calvin Klein, Gossard, H&M, Tommy Hilfiger, Aubade, Curvy Kate, M&S and Stretchline, among others.
Posted on Thursday 14 June 2018