Derby students scoop four East Midlands Fashion Awards

Fashion students at the University of Derby have won four out of nine categories at the Fashanne Awards 2021.

Founded by BBC East Midlands Today presenter Anne Davies, the awards showcase the latest fashion design talent to emerge from universities in the East Midlands.

Sofie Nikl, Dominica Buonasorte, Parasto Qalandari and Anika Vo Ba, who recently completed their BA (Hons) Fashion Design and BA (Hons) Fashion Design & Marketing degrees at Derby, took home awards in four categories after competing against other universities including Nottingham Trent, Northampton, De Montfort and Huddersfield:

• Anika Vo Ba – Menswear Design Award sponsored by Paul Smith  
• Parasto Qalandari – Womenswear Design Award sponsored by Next  
• Dominica Buonasorte – Sustainability Award sponsored by GreenEarth Cleaning  
• Sofie Nikl – Commercial Design Award sponsored by Intelligent Label Solutions  

The winners will each have the opportunity to take-up exciting internships with the global companies who sponsor and judge these Awards.  

Winner Anika Vo Ba, said: “I didn't even think about actually winning the award as being nominated was already an honour, but to win against so many talented artists is a dream come true.

“I have just recently completed my degree and will be very sad to leave the University. During my studies, I have learnt and challenged myself so much and feel I have been able to reach my full potential at Derby.”

Speaking about the students’ achievements, Fiona Hawthorne, Senior Lecturer in Fashion at the University of Derby, added: “The fashion team at Derby is extremely proud of Sophie, Anika, Dominica and Parasto on winning in four of the nine awards at this year’s Fashanne Awards.  

“This year has been incredibly tough for students and they have worked hard to achieve stunning collections despite having limited access to studios due to Covid-19 restrictions, but they have overcome these challenges to win recognition through these coveted awards.”

Due to Covid 19 restrictions, the awards were hosted online and culminated in a film which includes all the entries, judges’ comments and who the winners are.

Fashanne Awards founder Anne Davies said: “Fashanne, Fashion Designers of the Future Awards exists to reach out a helping hand to the next generation and connect them with industry - to the benefit of both.  It is committed to championing inclusivity, diversity and inclusion and, as it goes into its sixth year, will continue to promote and showcase the huge talent in our universities.”  

Read about the Fashanne Awards here.

Find out more about studying Fashion at the University of Derby.