Fashion graduate impresses at International Youth Design Competition 2017 in Beijing

BA (Hons) Fashion graduate Samantha Jones, after been one of only two students to be selected to showcase work from the UK, has been awarded forth place in the International Youth Design Competition in Beijing.

Her work was among 31 collections selected from applications from graduates across 16 countries, and was showcased at the Beijing Institute of Fashion (BIFT) as part of the ‘2017 BIFT-Science-Art-Fashion Festival’ opening ceremony.

‘I am overwhelmed to have been awarded fourth place in the International Youth Design Competition,’ commented Samantha.

‘With 31 final collections and approximately 150 garments in the competition, I am extremely happy to hold the fourth place award.

Being invited by BIFT to showcase my collection on their catwalk was a great achievement alone, and it was an experience I will forever grateful for.’

The theme of this the competition this year was ‘Culture and Integration’, and whilst the international graduate designers were in Beijing, BIFT as hosts introduced them to the surrounding culture and industry.

‘In Beijing, I was fortunate enough to showcase my collection for a second time, as part of the 2017 Fashion Xiongan – International Culture Festival,’ Samantha explained.

‘This festival is held to promote the future and establishment of Xiongan’s New Area (Hebei), which plays a significant role in accelerating the transformation of traditional industries.

The staff at BIFT were extremely hospitable and made sure we got the most out of our time in Beijing.

They provided the best cultural experiences, always keeping us entertained with the small amount of free time we had. They took us to visit the industry, and I got my first insight into seeing a working garment factory, as well as a trip to North China Pearl Baiyangdian Lake, which we learned most of the residents of Hebei farmed on, and learned a living from.’

When reflecting on her time in Beijing, Samantha described herself as ‘very pleased to have been given the opportunity to show my work in Beijing and very humbled to be one of the 2 students to be selected from the UK and to be representing Manchester School of Art.’

I felt I learned a lot from the international designers and about myself as a designer. The International Youth Design Competition 2017 helped me reflect on myself as a Fashion graduate and fully appreciate the qualities of being taught in the UK by such knowledgeable and talented tutors whom provided skills which strengthened my design handwriting and made me feel especially proud to be representing Manchester School of Art as a UK designer.’

You can find out more about Samantha Jones’ work on the Manchester School of Art Degree Show website, or an her Arts Thread portfolio site.