Fashion student nominated for ‘Emerging Designer’ award

A fashion student at the University of Derby has reached the final of the Midlands Fashion Awards 2015 for her modern glamour clothing collection.

Sarah Woodward, a third-year BA (Hons) Fashion student, submitted six images of her womenswear collection in a bid to secure a place in the final of the ‘Emerging Fashion Designer’ category of the awards.

And now, after being selected, Sarah will present her collection on a professional runway at an awards evening in October in Birmingham – where she will battle it out against fourothers for the prestigious title.

Sarah, 24, said: “My final degree collection is based on the history of glamour and my contemporary take on it. When people think of glamour they think of Hollywood and Marilyn Monroe. I wanted to create a modern glamour that would be more relevant to young women today.

“I wanted to create a collection that was feminine but also structured at the same time. I went for pleats and asymmetric lines to secure this look.

“I was really surprised when I found out that I had been nominated for the award but really happy at the same time. It is a great opportunity to showcase my collection to other designers and industry professionals.”

Sarah, who has recently secured a three-month design internship at women’s fashion label House of Celebrity Boutique, in London, created four outfits for her collection; three dresses and a top and skirt co-ordinate set.

The collection is called Orenda, meaning a supernatural, divine force within every human being, and features soft pastel pink and blue colours.

Sarah added: “Glamour developed into the word it is today at a time when women would be paid to look good for a man and their lifestyles were often provided by men – this gave my collection a twist of feminism.

“My designs are based on liberation and choice in clothing, bold but minimal and classy.”

The theme this for this year’s Midlands Fashion Awards is Spring/Summer 2016 or Autumn/Winter 2016.

Entrants for the Emerging Fashion Designer category must be able to demonstrate their uniqueness, creativity, design and innovation in selecting a collection of six complete garments to be presented to the judging panel on the catwalk at the show.

The winner will be announced on Friday, October 16 at an awards ceremony at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Centre (CSBO).

David McGravie, Head of the Department of Art and Design at the University of Derby, said: “We are extremely pleased for Sarah. She worked hard to create the collection and it is great to see that she is being recognised for her designs.

“We wish her the very best of luck for the future.”

Jenny Eason, Founder and Managing Director of the Midlands Fashion Awards, said: “2015 marks the seventh consecutive year for the Midlands Fashion Awards and each year I’m completely blown away by the talent and creativity of the finalists – it really is just getting better and better!

“Previous participants have taken their work everywhere from Fashion Week to the Oscars, so this is just the start of the journey and I can’t wait to see what this year’s finalists can do.”