It’s hard to believe those famous, instantly recognisable names and the designs we have come to rave about, covet and adore were once sweated over by the young student designers we have come to know as fashion royalty. Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Christopher Kane were all former graduates of Central St Martin’s.
Enough name dropping; last year’s fashion graduates are currently finding their feet in the ever cut-throat industry. I caught up with a few of them to see what the future holds.
Hannah Buswell
Back-story
Hannah Buswell graduated from the Royal College of Art with a collection designed, pattern cut and knitted entirely by her and featured textile designer Amy Ellis to create the printed pieces.
Brand credentials
With her graphic, bold patterns with easy, relaxed shapes, Hannah Buswell is reviving knitwear. “I was drawn to knitwear because of its endless possibilities. I love the fact you can not only create garments but the fabric they are made with.”
Fashion feats
Working with Ecafil Best yarns on outfits which were shown at: http://ow.ly/9YJaP
in Florence. Also, a hand knitting project for Rowan Hand knitting yarns.
What’s next?
Buswell is currently working on a collaborative project; ‘Polar project’ with graphic designer Keith Hancox. It began as a chance to produce non commercial work, with no boundaries apart from colour. “From stickers to scarves, pencils to posters we sell it all. As long as it’s red and white, anything goes.”
Charlotte Lucy Barry
Back-story
London College of Fashion graduate Charlotte Barry always “had a very keen love of colour and the way things looked. I sort of fell into fashion initially – textiles and fabrics run in my family, my dolls house as a child was a haberdashery shop. I just always loved beautiful things, completely dazzled when I first discovered haute couture, and from there just dived in!”
Brand credentials
Conceptually driven, and with equal measures of embroidery and print, Barry has developed a style that focuses on surface textures and encourages touch.”From an initial concept I like to focus on colour palettes and the aesthetic and feeling of the collection, and from this experiment with textile ideas and constructions, immersing myself in the visual. Intense deep colours, and having an urge to feel it when you see it – that’s a great embroidery/textile to me, when you want to run your hands over it,” she says.
Fashion feats
Last year Barry was nominated for the Biddle Sawyer Silk Award for Innovative Use of Fabric and won the Barnett Lawson Award for Use of Trimmings. Personal highlights? “I think perhaps everything, which is a cliché, but even the bad times I look back on and smile, these things teach us lessons!”
What’s next?
“I’m right in the middle of a couple of options right now; I wish I knew what the outcome would be! I think my own label would be amazing, but terrifying too, so we will see!”
Ume Sacranie
Back-story
The Leicester based De Montfort University graduate comes from a fashion-focal background. “I took a real keen interest in fashion from a young age. My father has been in the industry for many years and my passion really came from looking at his work.” The success of her most recent collection has ignited interest from fans in search of edgy yet luxurious classic pieces.
Brand credentials
“I like to find a balance in the way I work. So it wouldn’t be anything too feminine or masculine. I’ve concentrated a lot on recreating classics but adding a luxurious element with the handwork. So from my current collection the popular favourites have been the beaded fringe biker jacket and the feather coats.”
Fashion feats
Sacranie was selected in the final ten for the graduate fashion week gold award andher Autumn/winter 2011 collection was selected to showcase with Vauxhall fashion scout during London fashion week. “Last week I showed my collection to her majesty the Queen and duchess Kate at the start of the jubilee celebrations in Leicester. Most definitely a highlight as I also met with them!!”
What’s next?
Sacranie is launching her own label UMEROMAAN. In addition; “I’m also working with lots of creative’s in the industry; stylists etc to gain some exposure for my work. I have already been featured in magazines and online fashion websites and this is something I’m looking to progress. I am currently also taking private orders and speaking with stockists about holding my pieces.”
