News

Rihanna's star pupil - The Evening Standard

Sat, 26 May 2012 07:14:37 +0000

In many ways 22-year-old Claire Barrow is like any other fashion student. She certainly looks the part. When we meet she is wearing an eye-catching A-line PVC skirt, a scarlet red crocheted poncho and a pair of suede wide-rimmed spectacles. Her hair, which she tells me “has been dyed every colour”, is currently bleached blonde and has a cropped fringe. Barrow — like the majority of her art college peers — lives in a small flat in Dalston and has given up going out in order to make it to the end of her degree with her sanity intact.

But all is not as it seems. You see, while Barrow (a student at the University of Westminster) has much in common with the thousands of fashion graduates currently preparing to set sail into the job market, there is one notable difference: she already has a superstar customer — Rihanna. The supremely stylish Barbadian singer is a huge fan of Barrow’s work, which is focused around intricate drawings which she then paints onto leather jackets. Rihanna championed the student’s designs throughout her recent Too Loud tour and, even more remarkably, on the cover of her latest album Talk That Talk.

For Barrow, who spent a year out from her course launching the eponymous label which she still runs from her bedroom, it all began with a tin of paint and a second-hand leather jacket. “We were meant to get internships but it wasn’t for me,” she explains. “I wanted to do something else. I was into my illustration and watching a lot of films starring bikers and punks with band names scratched into the back of their jackets and the two came together somehow.”

As well as falling into favour with Rihanna, she counts Jessie J as a fan. Her work has also appeared in style bibles Vogue, I-D and Dazed & Confused — and she has just completed a capsule collection of her signature leather for the luxury label Joseph. From next month it will be stocking the limited-edition made-to-order collection, set to retail for over £1,000, in its London stores. Barrow has also designed a range for edgy shoe brand Underground. All this, of course, is an outstanding list of achievements for a student from Stockton-on-Tees who has yet to graduate.

Read the rest of this article here.

Alice Dellal appears in westminster fashion show

Fri, 25 May 2012 17:32:53 +0000

Alice Dellal and Pixie Geldof took to the catwalk in support of student Ashley Williams at a fashion show held on campus last night. Echoing Stella McCartney who, in 1995, persuaded Naomi Campbell, Yasmin Le Bon and Kate Moss to walk in her degree show at Central Saint Martins, Williams will be hoping to recreate similar success to McCartney who went on to launch one of the world’s leading clothing labels.

Dellal took to the catwalk for Williams in a pair of high-waist cigarette-pants and a sweetheart neck top which were printed with a fast food motifs. The Chanel model also cradled a small white puppy in her hands. Geldof wore a printed silk knee-length which was printed with the same motif and intarsia-knit roll-neck sweater.

William’s collection which was said to be inspired by American oil tycoon heiresses and Texan divorcees also included a slim fitting corduroy pair of dungarees in scarlet and a backless sheath dress that featured snakeskin panels.

Among the other students to take to the catwalk last night was Dalston-based Claire Barrow who unveiled a series of customised leather jackets and trousers. Among the highlights in Barrow’s collection was a stunning dress which was hand-beaded to look like dripping paint.

Barrow who has already launched her own label, counts Rihanna who wore a jacket from her collection during her recent tour, as a fan.

Collections by Hannah Duckworth who unveiled an experimental offering of egg-shaped cocoon jackets and dresses and Annie Phillips who hoped to dress ‘the eccentric older woman’ with kitten print blouses, fluffy slippers and rainbow feather boas were among last night’s highlights.

Last night’s graduate event kicked off a season of graduate fashion showcases. Fashion students at the London College of Fashion, Central Saint Martins and the Royal Academy are all schedule to unveil their collections over the next few weeks. Graduate Fashion Week, which encompasses fashion colleges from across the country kicks off on June 10th.

Westminster students produce collections for ASOS

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:38:51 +0000

Students of the BA (Hons) Fashion Design and BA (Hons) Fashion Buying Management courses have created ten High Summer 2012 collections for ASOS Marketplace, which buys and sells new, pre-owned and vintage fashion online.

The project, which is an industry first, offered second year students the opportunity to produce ten new capsule branded collections for High Summer 2012 which will be available to buy on ASOS Marketplace from 1 June 2012.

Each group’s final branded collection is an on-line product offer of eight to 12 boutique items, with an associated marketing plan, including a look book, fashion shoot and branded packaging.

Course Director Andrew Groves said: “In the highly competitive fashion industry, our collaboration with ASOS Marketplace is a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain real life experience of having to marry the dynamic creative process with professional, business and commercial decision making. We are the first to have developed such a project which has been, without doubt, an invaluable learning experience for our students.”

Katie Oldham, senior marketplace manager at ASOS Marketplace, said “We’ve been astounded by the quality and creativity of the collections created by the students. The design talent we’ve seen has been first rate, and combined with well-thought customer-centric business and marketing plans we are excited to see the 10 unique collections launch & sell on the site.”

Westminster wins BFC Fashion Illustration Award

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:24:01 +0000

The University of Westminster has won the coveted British Fashion Council Fashion Illustration Award in association with Fashion Monitor at the annual Graduate Preview Day held at the Mayfair Hotel, London.

The University of Westminster was chosen from 25 other universities and colleges who submitted their graduates’ portfolios to showcase their work to high profile industry professionals.

Illustration is part of the University of Westminster BA (Hons) Fashion Design degree course and its students were judged by a panel of industry experts, headed by Chair of the Colleges Council, Anne Tyrrell, along with Adam Kelly (Buying Manager, Selfridges), Hannah White (Editor, Fashion Monitor), Jacqui Ma (Senior Editor Footwear and Accessories, WGSN) and Marios Schwab.

Andrew Groves, course director of the University of Westminster's BA (Hons) Fashion Design, said: “Being awarded the British Fashion Council Fashion Illustration Award is a fantastic recognition of the hard work, talent and creativity of our students. This award is testament of their originality, skills and ability to bring this all together to produce first-class fashion illustrations.”

Westminster to start graduate fashion show season

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 06:58:16 +0000

The University of Westminster graduate runway show will kick off the Graduate Fashion season in glamorous style on 24 May when its BA (Hons) Fashion Design students will be the first to debut their collections at the Ambika P3 venue in central London.

This year’s students will be showcasing their first collections and many have already gained invaluable experience working in the fashion capitals of the world with highly celebrated designers such as Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Christopher Kane, Roksanda Ilincic, Jeremy Scott, Giles, Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang and Viktor & Rolf.

Last year’s graduates are already working with prestigious international companies such as Mulberry, Puma, Givenchy, Burberry, Abercrombie & Fitch, Thom Browne, Armani and Roksanda Illincic, to name a few and the 2012 graduates are also set to follow in their footsteps.

Course Director Andrew Groves said: “This year’s graduates have shown exceptional creativity and imagination which has been translated into their debut runway collections.

Their time with renowned international design houses during their years at the University have been, without doubt, enriching and rewarding experiences and we look forward to a first class graduate show in May.”

Breaking into fashion: The Guardian

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:57:01 +0000

Fflur Cadwaladr Owen reveals how stints at Alexander McQueen, Karen Millen and Lulu Guinness - plus Paris Fashion Week - have helped her gain valuable industry insight

I believe my journey towards becoming a fashion apprentice started with my passion for creating things. My father is a carpenter. As a small girl, I would follow him around his workshop, transfixed by his ability to design and create something from scratch. I tried to copy him and even had my own little work bench in his workshop.

As I got older, I hated school and was much happier doing anything that allowed me to express my creativeness. I'm not sure exactly when or how I got interested in garments, but I used to spend my spare time researching different trends and costumes throughout history and then designing a variety of new creations. I found a course which taught me the basics of sewing and embroidery and was hooked.

After making the decision to pursue my childhood dream, I moved to London five years ago to embark on a degree in fashion design at the University of Westminster.

As part of my degree, I was required to find a three-month internship which would provide me with practical experience of working with designers. I knew that I wanted to experience firsthand what it would be like to work in a very demanding fashion house.

Read the rest of the article here.

Naomi Cox collection on film

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:24:54 +0000

Naomi Cox who graduated in June 2011, has had her collection shot for the following film which has been entered in to a number of Film competitions. Naomi is now living in New York and working as an accessories designing for Armani Exchange.

Meet Katie Hillier - The Evening Standard

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:38:16 +0000

The fashion industry has more than its fair share of household names. Yet some 14 years into her career, Katie Hillier's remains relatively unknown. She is, it would seem, the fashion world's best-kept secret. But while you may not know her name, you will undoubtedly have laid eyes on one of her creations - and if you're lucky, you may even own one.

Once the head accessories designer at Marc by Marc Jacobs, where she created some of the most coveted bags of the decade - she continues to work there as a creative consultant - Hillier is now the expertise behind Victoria Beckham's phenomenally successful bag line, and a consultant for Henry Holland's House of Holland label and for designer Stuart Vevers, with whom she recently collaborated to re-imagine Loewe's iconic Amazona tote bag.

Hillier's journey was a long, occasionally bumpy one that saw her dip into almost every aspect of the fashion industry before arriving in her role as the UK's most exciting handbag designer. After completing a BTEC course at Hounslow College, Hillier went to the University of Westminster's campus in Harrow where visiting lecturers included John Galliano and Clements Ribeiro. It was during this time that she met Love Magazine editor and stylist Katie Grand, for whom she later worked at Dazed & Confused.

Read the rest of the interview at The Evening Standard.

Westminster graduate wins Harrods competition

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:47:50 +0000

Kate Wallis, a recent graduate from the BA (Hons) Fashion Design course at Westminster, has won the Harrods Graduate Competition 2011 held in partnership with the British Fashion Council Colleges Council.

Kate Wallis follows in the footsteps of a previous Westminster graduate, Jessica Madden, who won the inaugural Harrods Graduate Competition in 2010.

Kate was declared the overall winner by a senior panel of leading industry judges including Anne Tyrrell, Chair of the BFC Colleges Council, Caroline Rush, CEO, BFC and Marigay McKee, Fashion and Beauty Director, Harrods. Kate was awarded the position based on her portfolio, a written case study and presentation to the judges.

Course Director, Andrew Groves says: ‘Kate’s talent and creativity shone through during her time at Westminster. We are extremely proud of her achievements so far and I am sure this is the beginning of a successful fashion career.”

Kate Wallis says; “I really loved my time at the University of Westminster and it provided me with the knowledge and contacts I needed to pursue a career in the fashion industry. A lot has been going on since I graduated and this is partly down to the support and motivation the fashion tutors at Westminster instilled in us. Having been chosen for the Harrods Graduate Competition is a great honour and a fantastic opportunity for me to gain an invaluable experience in the fashion business.”

Westminster graduates at London Fashion Week

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 22:07:48 +0000

Graduates from Westminster were busier than ever during London Fashion Week. Whilst both Vivienne Westwood and Christopher Bailey Creative Director of Burberry both held runway shows during LFW, newer Westminster graduates also showed their designs off.

Eleanor Amoroso, who graduated in 2010, showed her S/S12 range at BLOW Presents. She launched her label last season after attracting attention for her handcrafted graduate S/S collection in 2011. Since then she has gone from strength to strength with her work being described as a ‘commemoration of the forgotten art of craftsmanship’, which combines modern elegance with a tough, darker side.

Kate Wallis and Parsha Gerayesh, who both graduated from Westminster in June also took part in LFW by presenting a selection of their designs at the Vauxhall Fashion Scout graduate showcase.

Whilst Emma Griffiths who graduated in 2008 launched her S/S 2012 collection with a film directed by Giovanni Martins and launched at star studded party at the Hospital Club.

Meanwhile Laura Joyner who also graduated in June saw a number of celebrities wearing her designs front row at LFW including Nicola Roberts from Girls Aloud and Diane Vickers. She also found time to visit 10 Downing Street and join Samantha Cameron to on a mile-long walk in honour of health workers worldwide for Save the Children as part of their ‘Born to Walk Tall’ campaign to raise awareness of the important job health workers do worldwide.