Graduate Fashion Week shortlisting success for Northumbria students

Students from Northumbria University's three Fashion programmes have impressed the judges at this year’s Graduate Fashion Foundation awards, with 15 students shortlisted an impressive 23 times across 14 different categories.

Celebrating it’s 30th year this year, Graduate Fashion Week is the world's largest showcase of undergraduate fashion talent, featuring work by students from universities across the UK and internationally.

This year the event takes place from 12-18 June at Coal Drops Yard, in Kings Cross, London and will feature live-streamed runway shows, online industry talks, design exhibitions and a digital portfolio platform – providing an excellent opportunity for final year students to impress potential industry employers.

One of the highlights of the annual event is the Graduate Fashion Foundation awards, with students from Northumbria’s Fashion, Fashion Communication, and Fashion Design and Marketing BA (Hons) programmes shortlisted in 14 of the 20 categories.

The Class of 2021 have overcome a variety of challenges during their final year due to the difficulties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, but have gone on to create some truly innovative and exciting projects.

As Gayle Cantrell, Head of Subject for Fashion at Northumbria explains: “Our graduates have responded with incredible resourcefulness, creativity and maturity to the challenging circumstances we live in.

"Their final projects demonstrate an impressive level of craftsmanship and imagination, and graduates’ understanding of the changing nature of fashion and the world.

"We are proud to see so many of their projects selected by industry judges and recognised at a national level – it is testament to the hard work of graduates and the dedication of the academic and technical support staff who have guided them through this year.”

The following Northumbria University students have been shortlisted in this year’s Graduate Fashion Foundation Awards:

Fashion Illustration

• Conor McLaughlin
• Molly Nixon
• Naomi Pugh

Fashion Concept

• Kellie Spence
• Sara Carney

Fashion Digital Portfolio

• Molly Nixon
• Naomi Pugh
• Victoria Archer

Fashion Innovation

• Alexandria Milburn
• Conor McGloughlin

Fashion Communication Portfolio

• Douglas Miller

Accessories

• Victoria Archer

Fashion Photography

• Reuben Neill

Sportswear and Leisurewear

• Gabrielle Kayley

Fashion Textiles

• Max Telford

Childrenswear

• Sally Stephenson
• Victoria Archer

Footwear

• Poppy Vrayer Griffiths

Culture and Heritage

• Ayana Benedict

The Considered Award

• Sara Carney 

Tu Challenge 21

• Victoria Archer
• Beth Cadbury
• Jen Ritchie

Final judging for the awards will take place this week, with the award winners announced on Friday 18 June via a live streamed awards ceremony.

The Fashion, Fashion Communication and Fashion Design and Marketing BA (Hons) programmes at Northumbria have seen many graduates going on to enjoy successful careers at brands and agencies across the globe, including Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren and Nike, with the University’s School of Design having an established reputation at the annual Graduate Fashion Week exhibition.