Northumbria fashion graduate scoops top international prize

Nicola Morgan, 23, has scooped Best Collection at the Mittelmoda Fashion Awards in Italy and picked up a €10,000 prize.  “I am really thrilled to have won this fantastic award.” She told us, “I was delighted to have the opportunity to show my collection in Italy and to meet all the other designers from different countries.”

Mittelmoda, now in its 17th year, is presented to the young designer who combines outstanding design and craftsmanship with an innovative approach to sustainability. The winner is elected by a jury made up of top international fashion editors and design experts during the Mittelmoda finals in Gorizia, Italy.  Over 700 designers, from 600 fashion and design colleges world-wide, entered the prestigious contest.

Nicola graduated with BA (Hons) Fashion from the School of Design this summer.  Janine Munslow, the School’s Head of Fashion, said: “Nicola’s design skills and natural creative flare have been recognised by the judges of this prestigious international competition. “

Nicola was competing against 25 other finalists after an international panel of judges, chaired by Mittelmoda International Lab President Matteo Marzotto, handpicked her portfolio.  
Her collection was originally inspired by a desire to create something beautiful and lasting out of something functional. She explained, “I developed a new way of joining pieces of fabric together using interlocking shapes to eliminate the need for machine sewing.  The pieces can be disassembled and re-arranged by the wearer and the aim of the collection was to create beautiful clothing inspired by disposable items, such as flat packed furniture.”

Nicola also scooped the Fashion Innovation Award at Graduate Fashion Week and the New Designer of the Year award at New Designers in London earlier this year.  She was also selected to display at Eureka Night at the Design Museum, where she exhibited alongside established designers in London.

Nicola now plans to continue studying for a postgraduate qualification at the Royal College of Art, London. If would like to view some of Nicola’s designs, please visit www.nicola-morgan.co.uk.