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NTU alumna challenges second year Fashion Design students

28 March 2018

Students in their second year of our BA Hons Fashion Design course have created designs to meet the needs of those with physical disabilities through a creative brief set by alumna Linda Leaver (BA Hons Social Sciences 1984). 

For the third year running, Linda has set a brief for Year Two fashion students, challenging them to develop creative, contemporary and functional designs for adaptive clothing; something she feels is lacking after a stint spent in a wheelchair following a skiing accident.

Ten students took up the challenge, which included conducting research and user-informed insights to develop a detailed concept for potential onward development. Linda commented on how accomplished she thought the final work was, especially as it had all been developed to a tight timescale.

After presenting their final concepts to Linda and project tutor Dawn Eyre, the top three concepts were awarded prizes. Olivia Davis was named winner for her concept ‘Glow Through’, and was awarded £5,000. Luci Hulme was placed second for her ‘Glitched Perceptions’ concept, and awarded £3,500. Finally Evie Ashwin was placed third and awarded £2,500 for her concept, ‘Upsurge’.

Olivia was overcome with the decision to award her as overall winner and commented on how much this meant to her, especially as it will help her develop her final year collection. She plans to take her project forward into the basis for her final year collection body of work.

Linda commented on the project, which she has generously created and sponsored for three consecutive years: “I have thoroughly enjoyed this process. Over the last three years it has been a fantastic experience to see the development of new ideas and research. I feel that this year has been the most technically accomplished – you have really taken the concept on board and made great use of social media for research too. The originality of approaches and concepts is very impressive – we are definitely ending the project series on a high.”

Later in May it is planned that each of the winning students will make up and show one outfit from their collections.

Image l-r: Dawn Eyre, Olivia Davis, Luci Hulme, Evie Ashwin and Linda Leaver