Kate Nevin

Final year Fashion Design and Marketing student, Kate Nevin, instantly fell in love with the London Cashmere company due to their ethical values and practice. The company produces luxury cashmere clothing and is transparent about their working relationship with Mongolian farmers, from whom they get their cashmere from.

Kate discovered the London Cashmere competition on Instagram after being notified by a friend. The brief asked for a mood board explaining a concept idea and an original illustrated knitwear design. The winner would win the chance to work closely with the team to bring their original design to life, which would then be available to purchase from their website.

Given Kate’s personal connection with the brand and the amazing opportunity presented to her, she was highly motivated to enter the competition. Explaining her passion for knitwear, she said: “After my grandma taught me the craft years ago, it has become my main hobby and something that I wish to pursue.

"To work with knitwear in a professional industry setting is a fantastic chance to build on my knitting skills and knowledge - the opportunity was too good to miss out on!”

Kate submitted a design with the theme ‘celebrating transparency’, which aims to tackle unethical practice within the fashion industry, a cause she is very passionate about. She studied early 20th century Mongolian culture and took inspiration from colour, pattern, and silhouette to produce a high neck jumper that has a timeless and classic aesthetic. The colour blocking feature that runs through the bottom of the jumper is a subtle hint toward the Mongolian inspiration.

Kate won the competition after submitting an outstanding entry in March this year and will have her garment manufactured for sale later in the year. She said: “Winning the competition was the perfect boost of confidence that I didn't realise I needed to help me finish my final year studies.

"I am so excited to see my design in real life this September, however, I don't think it will properly sink in until then!"

Discussing her development since the beginning of her studies, she added: “I have developed so much as a creative since starting the course at Northumbria in 2017.

“It is the sense of belonging to a community that I love most about the course. I have made so many friendships, industry connections and have enjoyed every year.”