Hollie's design is a global hit

A student from the School of Art has beaten off competition from thousands of people worldwide to make the final of American Apparel’s Print-Shop design contest.

Hollie Davies, a second year Textiles in Practice student, has made the final 30 of the competition with a design created for a University project – but faces an anxious wait while a technical glitch is fixed that will allow people to vote for her.

Hollie’s t-shirt design is featured on the American Apparel website, and is available for people to buy online.

But the “vote now” button which would allow people to vote for contestants is not currently available, although American Apparel say they are working to overcome the technical difficulty and hope it will be fixed this week.

Worldwide success

Once it is running, fans of Hollie’s work will have a week to cast their votes through the site before the winner is announced, based on the entry that received the most votes and purchases.

She says she was thrilled to be shortlisted, and hopes people keep checking the site so they can vote.

“I couldn’t believe it when I heard I was a finalist – it’s a really big thing and it is open to people from across the world,” Hollie said.

If she wins, her T-shirt will be stocked in American Apparel stores worldwide.

Collaborative project

The 21 year-old, from Liverpool, said: “The design on the T-shirt was a painting I did for one of my University projects last year.

“I was looking at Canal Street and Manchester’s gay scene, and the image was taken from a picture of a transvestite in drag and my interpretation of that, particularly the colours. The project was a collaboration with some other students to look at different aspect of Manchester – my painting was part of a larger print.

“I love my course. Youc an create work that’s personal to you and that you would wear - that’s important to me.”