Gold at Graduate Fashion Week!

MMU fashion student Rebecca Thomson scooped the top prize at Graduate Fashion Week’s gala show last night – the £20,000 River Island Gold Award.

The talented 22-year-old wowed judges including renowned Italian designer Alberta Ferretti - who presented Rebecca with her award - and the editor of Elle magazine with her work.

Her “casual couture” collection of hand-pleated details mixed with jogging bottoms, giant bow-ties, lace bib-collars and billowing shirt-dresses was praised by judges for its contemporary feel.

Offered position with Alberta Ferretti

Rebecca said: “I’m beyond surprised about winning, in fact I think I’m still in shock! I spoke to Alberta Ferretti after the ceremony and she’s invited me to Italy to work on her New York line over the summer, which is an amazing opportunity.

“I was also given a list of contacts at companies ranging from Burberry to John Lewis as part of Graduate Fashion Week’s mentoring scheme. I can get in touch with them at any time for advice or support, which will be invaluable. My family are also really proud of me and everyone of the course has been sending me congratulations messages.”

Incredibly high standard

The Daily Telegraph’s Hilary Alexander described MMU’s show of 18 student collections as “one of the strongest to come down the Graduate Fashion Week catwalk”, with the editor of Elle magazine Lorraine Candy adding that the standard of work had been incredibly high.

Alberta Ferretti, who employs British-schooled graduates in her design studio, also paid tribute to fashion education in the UK, saying it strikes a perfect balance between “the fantasy of fashion” alongside skills such as tailoring.

Dame Vivienne Westwood was just one of the famous faces spotted checking out the next generation of talent at Graduate Fashion Week, which is the largest event of its type in the world and has helped launch careers of designers such as Stella McCartney.

Beating over 1,000 students

The gala show finale features only the very best collections from the shows and Rebecca beat over 1,000 students from more than 35 universities and fashion colleges across the country to take Gold.

In addition to undertaking interviews with China TV and glossy fashion magazines Marie Clare and Elle, Rebecca’s success was splashed across the pages of The Guardian, The Telegraph and even The Beijing Times.

Rebecca begins a Masters in Womenswear at the Royal College of Art in October and has decided to put the money from her win towards the costs of the course.

The final collections from all MMU fashion students will hit the catwalk in Manchester on 22nd June 2010. Catwalk shows at the Capital Theatre at All Saints campus will take place at 3pm, 5pm and 7.30pm.

Check out footage of MMU at Gradate Fashion Week on YouTube.