Sophie is top 100 graduate

MMU’s Sophie Blennerhassett, 22, has been named one of the top graduates in the UK.

Sophie, who graduated earlier this year with First class honours in Fashion, fought off competition from 13,000 other students from 70 different universities to secure her place in the final of the prestigious Graduate 100 awards.

Only ten finalists were selected for each of the 10 categories covered by the awards, with Sophie shortlisted for the TopShop-sponsored Fashion category in recognition of her talent.

Attracting attention from major fashion labels

Sophie’s flair for fashion was evident throughout her time at MMU. In 2009 she was on the winning team of the River Island Rocks competition, which organised a successful fashion and music event in Manchester, and secured a summer internship at renowned designers Pringle of Scotland.

During her third year at MMU St Helens-born Sophie even attracted the attention of the former Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Alison Firth, who commissioned the fashion student to design and make her evening gown for the annual Lord Mayor’s ball.

Sophie’s final degree collection of layered knits was selected by a panel of external judges for Graduate Fashion Week, an unrivalled showcase for the fashion designers of the future, where her work caught the eye of House of Fraser. She is currently undertaking a year-long internship with the department store through their Protege Project, a fantastic opportunity for a fledging fashion designer.

Mix of creativity and professionalism

Programme Leader for Fashion Alison Welsh, who nominated Sophie for the award, said: “Sophie is one of the most professional students I’ve ever had the pleasure of teaching. What always impressed me was her approach to projects, which she undertook as an experienced fashion designer would, working independently and to tight deadlines.

“During the course Sophie also developed the most exquisite portfolio of understated designs in sumptuous colours which were both high market level and commercial, making herself very marketable.”

Unrivalled networking opportunities

The Graduate 100 is the largest initiative of its kind in Britain and was developed in partnership with leading employers, universities and key industry figures to recognise outstanding students.

The awards ceremony held in London last week was hosted by James Caan from Dragon’s Den and attended by high profile graduate employers including Google, Coca Cola and Microsoft.