A Bath Spa University fashion student looks set to hit the big time after winning top prize in a national design competition.
Twenty-one-year-old Stephanie Kitchen was one of 15 finalists, selected from more than 100 entries submitted to the Fashion Awareness Direct (FAD) competition to design optimistic solutions for the next decade.
Stephanie's designs combined her two passions - fashion and fitness.
She said: "I'm really interested in health and fitness and I do a lot of running and cycling so my work marries that with my love of design."
Stephanie has to submit two outfits to the judging, and she used materials such as 3D shock absorbers, lycra and waterproof fabric or create outfits that were both stylish and practical.
She said:"Everything was breathable and lightweight and you could actually wear them for exercising."
The catwalk final took place during London Fashion Week as part of the Vauxhall Fashion Scout showcase where aspiring young designers compete for vital funding and top industry placements.
Stephanie and the other contestants' work was judged by a top industry panel including iconic fashion journalist and talent spotter Hilary Alexander.
Ms Alexander said:"The winning entry was outstanding, in concept, inspiration, execution and creativity - with an extremely high degree of sustainability, wearability and commercial appeal, as well.
"It was eye-catching, functional, futuristic, fun and accompanied with fabulous accessories which looked to the future in an original eco-manner."
Not only did Stephanie win the final of this prestigious competition, but also her work was personally selected by Ms Alexander to be showcased on the catwalk at the London Fashion Weekend.
Stephanie said: "I couldn't believe it when I found out I had won. It was just incredible.
"It was amazing to see my work on the catwalk. To have it go from just an idea to a drawing and then to seeing it on a person was really surreal."
Louise Pickles, Course Leader and Coordinator of Fashion at Bath Spa, added:"It is fantastic that Stephanie has won this prestigious national design competition. The level of thought and attention to detail that went into the development of this mini collection was astounding. This is the fourth year that we have had finalists in the FAD competition, and we are thrilled for Stephanie and the tremendous opportunities that this will open up for her."
Stephanie has now finished her degree in Fashion Design and will be taking up an internship this summer.
She said:"I would love to work for one of the big sportswear brands like Nike, Adidas or Puma and then eventually have my own label - but that it a long way down the line."
Bath in Fashion is running a Fashion Your Future event, sponsored by Bath Spa University, specifically to help anyone interested in pursuing a career in fashion.
There are many different and varied careers within the fashion industry and this forum aims to explore some of those roles with the help of a panel of experts.
The event is to be hosted by Louise Pickles, Head of Fashion at Bath Spa University and the panel includes Seren Colley - Menswear Design at Tom Ford, Elisabetta Ziller - Fabric Designer and Developer at Alexander McQueen, Marie Baluti - Product Developer Knitwear at Ben Sherman, Meera Stannard - Assistant Buyer at Liberty, Naomi Smart - Fashion Features Assistant at Vogue and
Chloe Jones - Graduate, winner of the prestigious Gold Award at Graduate Fashion Week 2012.
A selection of students from Bath Spa University Fashion, Photography, and Textiles departments will be on hand with examples of their work to discuss studying fashion related areas at BA level at university.
The event takes place from 11am to 1pm on Saturday, April 20 at Komedia and tickets are free,
For more information visit www.bathinfashion.co.uk.
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