Versatile student has designs on success

A FASHION student from Manchester School of Art has been named as the first winner of the British Fashion Council and Topman Graduate Design Programme.

Rebecca Howarth will receive a 12-month paid internship at the High Street giant, after impressing judges with her designs for a 15-piece capsule collection for the brand.

The win is all the more remarkable because Rebecca has mostly designed womenswear throughout her course.

Rebecca, who is originally from Moulton, in Northwich, said: “I am shocked to win because I come from a womenswear background. Even though I use a lot of menswear influences in my women’s designs it was still a huge surprise to hear I had won.”

Sophisticated style

The Former Leftwich County High School pupil said the judges praised her drawing skills and print designs, and seemed impressed by her versatility.

She said: “I designed the collection based on Spring 2014 trends, using a more relaxed silhouette and influences from South America and Mexico.

“The Topman customer has quite a broad style, so I aimed the collection at the more sophisticated end, the sort of people who would buy Topman Limited. Even though I have used some crazy prints, I think they are very wearable.”

Jo Jenkinson, head of the BA (Hons) Fashion course at Manchester School of Art, said: “We are really pleased Rebecca has won the Topman Graduate Design Programme – it’s a great opportunity for Rebecca to gain paid experience and benefit from mentoring from the Topman team. It will provide Rebecca with a head start in a very competitive industry and allow her to pursue her interest in Menswear.”

Design talent

The British Fashion Council, along with Topman and Topshop, awarded two internship places, one with each of the brands. The winner of the womenswear section was Sally Hewitt from Northumbria University.

Mary Homer, Managing Director of Topshop, said: “The Graduate Design Programme in partnership with the British Fashion Council is a natural extension of our work with design talent in the UK; it allows us to support emerging and graduate designers.

“The winner will have the opportunity to develop as a designer and gain valuable first-hand experience of a business through their time at Topshop.”

Gordon Richardson, Design Director of Topman, added: “Topman has been supporting emerging talent for over 10 years and is excited to be helping a new generation of talented designers start their careers through this initiative.”