We got the chance to step through Graduate Fashion week’s front doors earlier this month.
A whole range of works come from Universities globally as well as regionally. For example it was great to see strong work from Singapore’s Design College, La Salle Design School. Overall, the standard of work this year has definitely surpassed last year’s results, with a few unexpected gems coming from Nottingham Trent’s knitwear graduates and some of Epsom and Northumbria.
Also Kingston’s enclosed space exhibition space rather attracted more attention than many of the other stands! I think there’s something about a tiny house – like structures that seem more inviting than an open space.
Kingston’s Enclosed Space Exhibition
Incomparable to Birmingham City University’s quirky take on chicken coops with the feeder full of fresh graduate portfolios placed on the side of these tiny looking houses.
A Birmingham City University Piece
Northumbria’s graduates seemed to play a lot more on structure while still sticking to British roots. While Westminster’s graduates always enter graduates with a strong sportswear vibe.
Westminster’s Emma Lines’ Portfolio was shortlisted for the strongest portfolio award supported by Karen Millen. From looking at her portfolio there is no question about her capabilities as a womenswear designer.
Emma Lines University of Westminster (Picture by Arts Thread)
After rifling through the work of many graduates from across the country, including the good, the bad and the ugly, we here at Student Fashion Blog have devised a of few tips to point you in the right direction in making your fashion portfolio have that extra oomph!
Tip 1 – Strong Illustrations
Strong Illustrations
Illustrations give designs that haven’t yet touched reality, a world where they can look the most imaginative and mystical. It allows your audience to see exactly how you would piece your outfit together, with the right fabric, the right hair, the right body shape and the right accessories, in exactly how you would want it to look in an ideal world. So exercise those hand muscles and get practicing!
Tip 2 – Clear Imagery
Have Clarity
We saw a lot of pixelated photographs in some portfolios at the show. This makes the pages look a little tacky and un-resolved. Sorry fashion friends but this is not a professional look! Use high resolutions pictures and a printer.
Tip 3 – Colour Harmony
Raj Shinji, Salisbury College (Picture by Arts Thread)
Us fashion lovers are all creative beings no? So, if we see something visually unappealing, confusing or dis-jointed it messes up our brains. Colour really makes your pages give it that extra ‘wow’ factor. So be a doll and make your colours flow so that we all don’t get visual migraines.
Tip 4 – Fabric Innovation
Try New Things With New Fabrics
This can score top kudos if you can create your own fabric and make it look good. It’s always exciting to see what new ideas have stepped onto the scene with a touch of innovation.
Tip 5 – Keep it clean
Clean Portfolios
There’s a lot that goes into a fashion portfolio, which can easily bulk its size. So instead of sticking some scraggly bits of fabric in between the pages, make sure it’s clean cut and nicely presented. Otherwise, we don’t know whether we’re touching or tearing your precious fabric samples. Imagine millions of people ferociously flicking through your work – that is what will happen at Graduate Fashion Week!
