Stephanie Kitchen, a BA (Hons) Fashion Design student from Bath Spa University beat fourteen other finalists who were selected from over 100 entries submitted to FAD over the last year in which they were asked to design optimistic solutions for the next decade.
Photo courtesy of Milly Jackson – www.millyjackson.com
The catwalk final took place on Tuesday night during the 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 contestants had until February to make their final designs which would then be judged by a top industry panel including iconic fashion journalist and talent spotter Hilary Alexander.
Not only did Stephanie win the final of this prestigious competition, her garments were also personally selected by Hilary Alexander to be showcased on the catwalk at the London Fashion Weekend which is open to the public and will take place at Somerset House this weekend.
Commenting on the high standard of designs, Hilary Alexander said: “Overall, the standard of this year’s FAD entries was extremely high. The three winners stood out immediately and the decision of the judging panel was unanimous.”
With reference to Stephanie, she added: “The winning entry was outstanding, in concept, inspiration, execution and creativity – with an extremely high degree of sustainability, wear ability 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.”
Commenting on winning the final, Stephanie said: “It was so amazing to have the opportunity to see my designs on the catwalk and I was so flattered and shocked to have been announced the winner of the FAD competition.”
This is the twelfth year that creative charity FAD has run the competition with the aim of challenging fashion students to think outside the commercial box, encouraging them to look to art, culture and wider social trends in their research and design work.
