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blog http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/ Pop-up-shops and creating your own business talk http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/pop-up-shops-and-creating-your-own-business-talk/ At Graduate Fashion Week Emma Jones from Start-Up-Britain will be talking about how to set up your own business and how Pop-up shops can be used as a way to promote small businesses.
Start-up Britain has a Pop-up shop in King’s Road and they have offered GFW graduates the chance to take it over for a week. Emma Jones said “We want to help graduates realise that they can start a business and that they can be in charge of their own destiny- however big or small their ambitions may be.”
Pop-up shops are a great way to get exposure for new fashion and textile businesses. These talks offer great advice to new graduates and students who are looking to start their own business and for those who have started a business at home and are looking for new ways to progress further. Pop-up stores allow you to invite your fan base from social media and online to interact in a Pop-up shop.
Get tickets to the talk <a href="http://www.gfw.org.uk/careers/industry-talks-and-creative-workshops-day-by-day-schedule/">here</a>.
Written by Emma Edmonds Wed, 22 May 2013 13:59:03 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/pop-up-shops-and-creating-your-own-business-talk/ A Talk with Imran Amed http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/a-talk-with-imran/ Join us at Graduate Fashion Week to find out some of the best fashion industry advice from Imran Amed who is the founder and editor of The Business of Fashion, which has a global daily following.
He will be giving an exclusive talk about his experiences and answering questions. In 2011 he was named on British GQ’s list as “one of the most influential men in Britain and his website has been described as a must read for anyone in the fashion industry” –Independent.
Imran Amed is an associated lecturer at Central St Martins College of Art and Design and he also sits on the Digital and Fashion 2012 menswear committees of the British Fashion Council .His fashion expertise is highly regarded in the fashion industry. He was also named in British Vogues list of 25 new fashion faces to watch and on Net-a- Porters’s top 10 Global Blog Power list.
To book tickets for the talk visit <a href="http://www.gfw.org.uk/careers/industry-talks-and-creative-workshops-day-by-day-schedule/">here</a>.
 Wed, 22 May 2013 11:34:27 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/a-talk-with-imran/ Salford Shines at the Graduate Preview Day http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/salford-shines-at-the-graduate-preview-day/ Students from the University of Salford have won a top clothing industry award for the third time in four years. Fashion design and Image making along with Styling students were awarded with the Fashion Monitor Colleges Portfolio Award at the Graduate Preview Day.
Bashir Aswat, senior leader of fashion at Salford University said: “It’s a very special thing and such a privilege to have colleagues and peers complimenting the students’ work. It’s phenomenal that the University has won against such strong contenders for a third time in a row, and our students certainly deserve their success.”
The winning student collections will be showcased at Graduate Fashion Week on Tuesday 4th June. 
Get your tickets for the Salford Fashion Show <a href="http://www.gfw.org.uk/tickets/catwalk/">here.</a> Tue, 21 May 2013 13:02:43 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/salford-shines-at-the-graduate-preview-day/ International Show announced in partnership with Vogue Italia http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/international-show-announced-in-partnership-with-vogue-italia/ Graduate fashion week are excited to announce a new international presence in the form of an International Show. The show which is in paretnership with Vogue Italia is taking place on Monday 3rd June at 11am, and will showcase 16 leading international Universities.
Martyn Roberts, director of Graduate Fashion Week, says, “The participation of such prestigious international educational establishments just goes to prove how influential and valued Graduate Fashion Week is around the world.”
Sara Maino, Senior Editor of Vogue Italia, will be judging the best international collection which will be given an International Award. The International Show will feature graduates from esteemed New York College Parsons, which has an alumni of Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and Proenza Schoular and will be making its debut at Graduate Fashion Week. Other Universities Include Academy of Art, San Francisco, Accademia di Cotume e Moda, BUNKA, ESMOD Berlin and ESMOD Oslo, Shih Chien, Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design, FIT, IED, Maragoni Milan, Margoni Paris, Kolding and Mimar Sinan Fine Arts.
Get your tickets <a href="http://www.gfw.org.uk/tickets/catwalk/">here</a>.
View the coverage on <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2013/05/21/graduate-fashion-week-international-showcase">www.vogue.co.uk</a>.
Text by Emma Edmonds Tue, 21 May 2013 11:00:01 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/international-show-announced-in-partnership-with-vogue-italia/ Events Schedule Launched! http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/events-schedule-launched/ The Graduate Fashion Week 2013 event schedule is now live! View the full schedule on our website, including talks in the Job Zone, The Space and George Stand.
An excellent opportunity to meet course leaders from over 40 universities, alongside access to live photo shoots in the first Graduate Fashion Week photography studio! Get careers advice from leading companies; Liberty, Selfridges, Debenhams, ASOS and Karen Millen amongst many others.
Click here to <a href="http://www.gfw.org.uk/careers/industry-talks-and-creative-workshops-day-by-day-schedule/">register now</a>!
 Fri, 17 May 2013 11:49:29 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/events-schedule-launched/ Student Success with George at Asda http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/student-success-with-george-at-asda/ A fashion and textiles student from the Colchester School of Art in Essex has had success with her children’s wear line before even graduating. Harriet Simons is in the final year of her degree, and has recently collaborated with George at Asda to create a summer children’s wear collection.
The collection, which is now in stores, follows on from the success Harriet had last year winning the Children’s Wear Award at Graduate Fashion Week 2012. A two-week long placement at George followed for the award winner, where she was able to hone her skills and develop her style to go on to create the collection for the store. Of the placement Harriet spoke; “It was amazing!”.
You can view the new children’s wear pieces in George at Asda stores now.
 Wed, 15 May 2013 15:08:25 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/student-success-with-george-at-asda/ Manchester School of Art Graduate Preview Show http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/manchester-school-of-art-graduate-preview-show/ Manchester School of Art is set to host their annual Graduate Fashion show on 23rd May, ahead of this year’s Graduate Fashion Week. The catwalk show will be the first to be held at their brand new building, marking the school of art’s remarkable 175th birthday. Graduates were even the chance to set their own brief citing themes such as androgyny, childhood nostalgia and Sikh Warrior Turbans as inspiration- with such diverse themes; the show is set to be a success. A number of the Manchester collections will also debut at Graduate Fashion Week, this June at Earls Court!
More information about the show and up and coming events to celebrate Manchester School of Art’s 175th, can be found <a href="http://www.gfw.org.uk/ http://www.theskinny.co.uk/fashion/previews/304503-celebrating_in_style" target="_blank">here.</a>
 
Text: Daisy Milward
Image Courtesy of: www.theskinny.co.uk Thu, 09 May 2013 17:27:28 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/manchester-school-of-art-graduate-preview-show/ New GFW Careers and Mentoring Section Launched Online http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/new-gfw-careers-and-mentoring-section-launched-online/ The Graduate Fashion Week website has re-launched itself as a slick new hub for Careers and Mentoring!
The new look sections of the site have a focus on helping graduates find employment and paid internship opportunities in all areas of the fashion industry. The highlight of the site being the careers search section, where live job offers will regularly be posted and all graduate fashion week university students and grads will be able to apply for these positions directly through the web page.
The revamped website also features a mentoring section to prepare you for all areas of the industry, from interviews to new business start up plans. Featuring articles on seeking employment, internships and higher education from well-known names such as Drapers Jobs, Arts Thread and Smith and Pye, it is the go to place for fashion industry advice.
Graduate Fashion Week is now entering its 22nd year; the event takes place from the 2nd to the 5th June 2013 at Earls Court 2. Mentoring continues during the event, which will be packed with exciting initiatives including talks from key industry professionals, a new Job Zone, Pop-up Shop and Live Photo Studio. Tickets are available to buy online from the GFW website.
 
Explore the new pages <a href="http://www.gfw.org.uk/careers/mentoring/">here!</a>
 Wed, 08 May 2013 16:52:27 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/new-gfw-careers-and-mentoring-section-launched-online/ Your opportunity to edit Company Magazine http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/your-opportunity-to-edit-company-magazine/ Company Magazine; in association with George, is on the hunt for eight talented fashion students. The Magazine is looking for students from a variety of different fields; including journalism, marketing, photography and design, to guest-edit their October issue. The perfect platform for all those venturing into the Fashion Industry.
As well as the chance to guest-edit the publication, two lucky winners will be chosen, to style and art direct an exclusive photo-shoot with George for their new Autumn/ Winter Collection.
Twenty of the brightest entrants will be invited to Graduate Fashion Week, for individual interviews and a creative brainstorm with the team- before the final eight is selected.
To enter this year’s Company Magazine search, all you need to do is submit a trend report for Autumn/ Winter ’14. But be creative- this could be visual representation, a mood board, a video, a factual report or even a mixture of them all.
More information about Company’s search and how to enter can be found on the <a href="http://www.gfw.org.uk/ http://www.company.co.uk/magazine-hq/company-graduate-issue-2013">Company Magazine Website</a>.
Image Courtesy of : <a href="http://www.gfw.org.uk/ http://www.company.co.uk">www.company.co.uk</a> Fri, 03 May 2013 15:04:15 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/your-opportunity-to-edit-company-magazine/ Jess Piper's Man Up Girl collections joins George's G21 Talent http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/jess-piper-s-man-up-girl-collections-joins-george-s-g21-talent/ After debuting at Graduate Fashion Week 2012, Jess Piper has found success, with her own brand Man Up Girl (M.U.G) supported by the South Coast Collective. Full of tropical colours, mismatched prints and graphic patterns- Man Up Girl sets out to re-define women’s skate and street wear. It seems this combination works well, as this aesthetic was snapped up by George, who selected Piper, along with a group of GFW designers, to work with them on their G21 Range.
In an interview with Clash Music, Piper reflects on her experience at last year’s event, in particular how although stressful- it has lead to great success. ‘Relaxing, stress-free and easy... is not the way to describe that week, ha. It was challenging for sure, but it was also a great way to showcase the clothes on such an immense scale. At the time it was pretty difficult to take it all in, it really started to be fun when it was all over and I could properly appreciate the mad amount of effort everyone had put in.’ 
Man Up Girl will be available at Asda, as part of the George G21 Range, from 20th May.
 
The full interview can be found <a href="http://www.clashmusic.com/fashion/jess-piper-man-up-girl">here</a> Wed, 01 May 2013 10:03:02 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/jess-piper-s-man-up-girl-collections-joins-george-s-g21-talent/ Dress Kate Nash for her new tour! http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/dress-kate-nash-for-her-new-tour/ Kate Nash, in association with Fashion Monitor and Entertainment News, is holding an open call wardrobe day for designers and PRs to bring in potential tour garments.
The British style icon and platinum selling, singer songwriter is getting ready to depart for her sold out world tour and invites you to dress her. This is a fantastic opportunity to have your work viewed by thousands of people.
Kate says of her relation between fashion and music; “Fashion is a key element to my onstage performance-wear when I’m playing the bass, the guitar, drums or singing. Fashion is art just as much as a piece of music is art. Seeing the two come together and work as a harmonized vision is thrilling.”
The wardrobe day will take place on the 1st of May at Fashion Monitor and Entertainment News headquarters just off Oxford Street from 1pm to 3pm. Kate will be meeting everyone personally and editing on the spot. If you think you have a unique garment, which embodies the Kate Nash spirit, then RSVP: <a href="mailto:dresskatenash@forwardpr.com">dresskatenash@forwardpr.com</a>.
 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:27:04 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/dress-kate-nash-for-her-new-tour/ Launch your fashion design career with Cotton USA & Drapers http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/launch-your-fashion-design-career-with-cotton-usa-and-drapers/ Cotton USA, in association with Drapers magazine, have launched a competition open to all third year fashion design students. The prize gives one talented winner the chance to have a profile in Drapers showcasing their collection.
The initiative has been created to find the next Cotton USA designer. The brand focused on quality, has a history of working with cutting edge brands; Louise Gray, Richard Nicholl, Meadham Kirchoff, Preen and PPQ.
The entry requires a presentation of a cotton capsule collection made up of 5 looks using either CAD or sketches. To read the full the competition brief and enter visit: <a href="http://www.drapersonline.com/cottonusadesignercompetition">
www.drapersonline.com/cottonusadesignercompetition.
 
</a>
 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:29:45 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/launch-your-fashion-design-career-with-cotton-usa-and-drapers/ All Walks Beyond the Catwalk: Diversity Now finalists revealed http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/all-walks-beyond-the-catwalk-diversity-now-finalists-revealed/ The shortlist for the student competition All Walks Beyond the Catwalk - Diversity Now! has been revealed. The finalist's were whittled down from 33 Universities and Colleges across the UK by an esteemed panel of judges, including designer William Tempest and i-D photographer Kayt Jones. The Competition that sees, Arts Thread and i-D join forces, opened its doors in September to students working in the medium of; Fashion Film, Photography, Journalism, Illustration and Design. From journalistic articles by Jemima Wilson (Nottingham Trent) challenging the idea of body image to films by Rebecca Chambers (Ravensbourne) – all of the finalists have strived to redefine the boundaries of beauty. The winner will be revealed at Graduate Fashion Week, this June.
 
The full shortlist can be found on i-D online at <a href="http://idonline.com/2013/04/diversity-now-the-finalist-cut/">http://idonline.com/2013/04/diversity-now-the-finalist-cut/</a>
 
Image Courtesy of: <a href="http://www.i-donline.com">www.i-donline.com</a>
 
 Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:32:57 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/all-walks-beyond-the-catwalk-diversity-now-finalists-revealed/ Bath Spa University host Fashion Your Future http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/bath-spa-university-host-fashion-your-future/ Louise Pickles, Head of Fashion at Bath Spa University, played host to Fashion Your Future this Saturday, as part of this year’s ‘Bath in Fashion’- Bath’s annual Fashion week.
Fashion Your Future saw a panel of industry experts take to the stage, sharing their insightful words of fashion wisdom. Along with veterans like Seren Colley - Menswear Designer at Tom Ford - the panel also featured Chloe Jones, the winner of the Gold Award at last years GFW. Jones’, a Bath Spa Graduate, spoke about the importance of studying Fashion at a degree level. In particular, how beneficial it is when venturing into industry, “it enables you to get more involved with the company because you can help with the samples, research, help the pattern cutters – everything.”
In addition to hosting the event, Louise Pickles’ was also on hand to give advice to all those currently interning, “…you have got to understand the business; if you are asked to go and make a cup of tea, go and do it with a smile on your face…if you see everyone is busy and stressed and you ask if they’d like you to put the kettle on or offer to go out for teas, then that is great because they can see you are aware of what is going on.”
But, possibly the best advice for all students and interns currently frantically chasing deadlines came from Marie-Therese Baluti, Product Developer at Ben Sherman. Her simple advice was this, “It’s Just clothes, we are not saving lives. Sometimes as interns you can feel under pressure- that isn’t done on purpose, it is a really busy industry – and when it happens I say to myself ‘Its is only clothes’”.
The panel also starred Naomi Smart, Fashion Features Assistant at Vogue and Elisabetta Ziller, offering advice as the floor was opened up for questions.
More information about up coming events at this years Bath in Fashion can be found <a href="http://www.bathinfashion.co.uk" target="_blank">here.</a>
Images Courtesy of: thisisbath.co.uk
Text: Daisy Milward Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:38:55 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/bath-spa-university-host-fashion-your-future/ Stella McCartney Announced as the New 'Designer for Tomorrow' Patron http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/stella-mccartney-announced-as-the-new-designer-for-tomorrow-patron/ Previous GFW winner, Stella McCartney has been named the new Designer For Tomorrow Patron. The British Designer takes over from Marc Jacobs, the previous patron, who has hosted the awards for the past two years. Designer for Tomorrow, DFT in short, is an annual event held at Berlin Fashion Week, championing emerging European Designers. As the new patron, McCartney will join a panel of judges, including Editor-in-Chief at Vogue - Christiane Arp, to view the final collections in May, before announcing the winner at this year’s Berlin Fashion Week in July.
Text: Daisy Milward
Image: Joel Ryan, Invision Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:06:21 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/stella-mccartney-announced-as-the-new-designer-for-tomorrow-patron/ George Wins 'Best of the Best' Award at this Year's NCWE Awards http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/george-wins-best-of-the-best-award-at-this-year-s-ncwe-awards/ GFW sponsor, George at Asda has been awarded the ‘Best of the Best’ Award at this year’s NCWE Awards. The annual National Council for Work Experience Awards, celebrating its 10th Anniversary, rewards employers that strive to provide high quality internships for graduates and students. George’s 12-month internship, open to graduates, has been running for 15 years and has, finally, been recognised. Like all students should, the Judge’s take into consideration; the benefits to both company and intern, levels of support and of course, payment. In all of which- George excelled.
Paul Jenkins, Senior Resourcing Manager from George at Asda was keen to express his enthusiasm for interns, “Our 12-month internship has been running for more than 15 years so it’s fantastic to receive this Best of the Best Award, which reflects the longevity and consistent high quality of our program. The simplicity of this program is what makes it exceptional – interns are our future stars and we want to give them as many opportunities to develop and progress, as possible”.
A complete list of this year’s NCWE winners can be found <a href="http://www.work-experience.org/awards">here.</a>
Text: Daisy Milward Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:02:35 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/george-wins-best-of-the-best-award-at-this-year-s-ncwe-awards/ Edinburgh College of Art Preview Catwalk Show http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/edinburgh-college-of-art-preview-catwalk-show/ Ahead of this year’s Graduate Fashion Week, Edinburgh College of Art are set to showcase their own fashion show at the McEwan Hall-Edinburgh, before heading to Earls Court this June. The ECA Graduate Show will debut 20 diverse collections inspired by lost Peruvian Tribes, 1990’s TV shows, the power of the colour blue and the shapes of luxury yachts.
The show will also feature the juxtaposition of fabrics, debuting Fashion Design Student, Melissa Thwaites’s collection. The collection, sponsored by French lace company - Sophie Hallette (the company that provided the lace for Kate Middleton’s infamous wedding dress), features luxury French lace, set against fine knitwear in bold, bright colours. Although, initially inspired by lace, Thwaites revealed, exclusively to the Edinburgh Journal that her collection “is about the challenge to create and design in a moment, rather than over a painfully long period”.
The Graduates are in good company, as previous ECA fashion graduates include, winner of the ‘Swarovski Emerging Talent Award’, accessories designer, Holly Fulton. Recognised by the British Fashion Council, the quirky Edinburgh graduate has just shown her seventh collection at London Fashion Week, this February. Judging by previews, it looks like this years graduates are set to do the same!
The ECA Graduate Fashion Shows take place this Thursday and Friday (25th/26th May) at University of Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall. Tickets are available <a href="http://www.hubtickets.co.uk/show.asp " target="_blank">here.</a>
Image Courtesy of: http://www.ed.ac.uk
Text: Daisy Milward
 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:29:48 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/edinburgh-college-of-art-preview-catwalk-show/ Kaiser Chief's to play at Burberry http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/kaiser-chief-s-to-play-at-burberry/ Burberry’s Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey has always had a well-publicised love of all things ‘indie’, attracting an ever-harmonious front row, featuring the likes of Rita Ora and Jake Bugg. But Bailey is set to up the anti next Tuesday, as Burberry prepare to host their first ever public gig at their flagship store featuring the Kaiser Chief’s. Ticket’s for the complimentary gig went on sale on 10th April and were gone within hours. But all is not lost, as this gig is set to be one of many, keep your eyes pealed on the Burberry <a title="Instagram" href="http://uk.burberry.com/store/experiences/regent-street/#/flagship/1">website</a> for up and coming events.
Text: Daisy Milward
Image courtesy of: <a title="Instagram" href="http://www.kaiserchiefs.com/gallery">http://www.kaiserchiefs.com/gallery</a> Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:40:07 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/kaiser-chief-s-to-play-at-burberry/ Go Behind the Scenes on the GFW Photo Shoot http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/go-behind-the-scenes-on-the-gfw-photo-shoot/ Saturday saw the much-anticipated Graduate Fashion Week photo shoot, a sneak preview of the hottest up-and-coming designers debuting at this year’s GFW. On board was renowned photographer Tung Walsh. Having shot for the likes of D&amp;G, Pop Magazine and the ever quirky Tilda Swinton, the London-based photographer has built a firm reputation. The shoot also featured stylist Sara Gilmour, Fashion Editor of Tank Magazine. With these experts on hand, the shoot was destined to be a success, keep a look out for the hotly awaited photos in the next few weeks… 
See some of the behind the scenes shots <a title="Instagram" href="http://instagram.com/officialgfw">here.</a>
Text: Daisy Milward
 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:35:38 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/go-behind-the-scenes-on-the-gfw-photo-shoot/ Rimmel London and Company's Rising Stars Gig http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/rimmel-london-and-company-s-rising-stars-gig/ On Monday, Company magazine held their first Rising Stars Gig in association with Graduate Fashion Week sponsor Rimmel London. The event took place at the cosy Foundation in Covent Garden, celebrating the coolest new girls in the music industry. Celebrity guests where treated to sounds by up and coming artists Nina Nesbitt, Fake Club and Arlissa.
Treats also included manicures by Rimmel London in their infamous pink telephone booth salons, Jam Jar Gin and Tonics, and flowing drinks provided by Echo Falls and Rekorderlig. The night oozed 'Company Magazine' creating a wonderful indoor festival vibe.
The likes of Company’s music editor Gemma Cairney and stylish Laura Whitmore where among the attendees who enjoyed the Rimmel London Make Overs and Hair Cuts by Saks.
Rimmel London as a sponsor of Graduate Fashion Week, will be hosting their own stand at the event again this June. Buy your tickets here now to visit them at the Earls Court venue for more pampering, make-overs and fashion treats!
 
Images courtesy of Company Magazine.
Text by Lauren Slater. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:50:16 +0100 http://www.gfw.org.uk/blog/rimmel-london-and-company-s-rising-stars-gig/