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.

She said: “I am really thrilled to have won this fantastic award.  I was delighted to have the opportunity to show my collection in Italy and to meet all the other designers from different countries.”

Nicola, originally from Harrogate, 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 said:  “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.  The garments I have created are intended to be investment pieces of high quality clothing.”

Nicola graduated with BA (Hons) Fashion from Northumbria’s 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.

“I believe that her talents, combined with the skills she has developed during her time at Northumbria, will enable her to go on to great success through postgraduate study at the Royal College and on to a bright future career in the fashion industry.”

Douglas MacLennan, the School’s Director of International Development, added: “Nicola has demonstrated great creativity and skill throughout her time at Northumbria and we are delighted that she has won such a respected fashion competition.”
Professor Andrew Wathey, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University said:
"This is an outstanding achievement for Nicola and for British design. Staff and students across the University, and especially in our sector leading School of Design, are absolutely delighted.
“In recent years Northumbria's graduates have won the New Talent prize at the Cannes Film Festival, the Turner Prize, and the Royal Photographic Society's Terence Donovan Award.  Former Northumbria students now hold many of the most influential roles in global fashion, automotive and product design. Our academic staff are proud that their teaching, enriched by high quality research and deep experience of industry, brings such excellent results."
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. Her work can be viewed at www.nicola-morgan.co.uk

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.

The BA (Hons) Fashion at Northumbria University is a four-year course covering menswear, womenswear, textiles and knitwear. In addition to the high-quality teaching and work placement opportunities, students benefit from the expertise of visiting designers and other specialists, gaining valuable experience while working on projects set by major fashion companies.