THE RETURN OF THE FAD COMPETITION AND THE 2008 WINNERS

'Stunned and speechless' was Nottingham Trent student Alicia Stone's reaction to winning FAD 2008. Judges were unanimous in their selection of Stone's 'wearable, buyable and covetable' design (Melanie Rickey, Grazia Magazine), which won her £2000 and a work placement with respected Spanish brand, Hoss Intropia.

Taking inspiration from the brief, she translated the blueprints of Chinese pagodas directly into contemporary pattern pieces. Her original outfit was a white, architectural blouse layered with voluminous trousers and a quilted, pocket neck piece, in statement yellow. The addition of red bindings, transformed the silhouette to evoke a more traditional Chinese look.

A sense of individuality and bespoke calligraphy prints secured Jemma Simmons of De Montfort University the second prize worth £1000 and a work placement with Pink Soda. Her quirky jumpsuit featured panels made from hand printed strips, sewn together and twisted, to form soft spikes reminiscent of a pagoda's outline. Third prize was awarded to Sophie Willet, Central Saint Martin's, whose glamorous, multi-tiered dress made a bold statement in black and red. Sophie was also awarded £1000 and a work placement with designer Gavin Douglas.

The 7th nationwide FAD undergraduate competition was held at the intimate Music Room on South Molton Lane. The 12 lucky finalists presented their designs on a pagoda framed catwalk, to an eager audience of industry supporters, family and friends.

This year's jury was a balance of fashion and cultural experts, including talent spotters Melanie Rickey (fashion News and Features Editor, Grazia) and Luisa de Paula (Buying & Merchandising Director, My-wardrobe.com), as well as designer Francesca Forcolini (owne r of acclaimed London boutique Labour of Love), China expert, Hugo de Bergh (Director of the China Media centre at The University of Westminster), architect Abigail Ashton and the 6th FAD competition winner, Terri Cohen.

Judge Hugo de Bergh praised the student's achievement in capturing 'China's dynamism, energy and excitement', while fellow judge Francesca Forcolini had this to say about the competition:

"I really enjoyed being on the panel for the competition. It was really inspiring to encounter the kind of creative endeavour, which rarely presents itself in the everyday working life. It was also wonderful to see such a passionate and encouraging team as FAD supporting young fashion start-ups, which is just what the industry needs."

THE BRIEF
URBAN COMMUNICATION: parallels and paradoxes

EXPANDING ON THE BRIEF

FAD’S urbane obsession continues with a leap across the silk routes to the Far East, China to impress on students the vastness of the wealth of culture cultivated over centuries and stretching across the timeline and dynasties of 8000 years.

THE JURY

Abigail Ashton, Partner, Ashton Porter Architects
Francesca Forcolini, owner of Labour of Love Boutique
Prof. Hugo de Burgh, Director of the China Media Centre at the Univ. of Westminster
Louise de Caires, Creative Director, FAD
Luisa de Paula, Buying & Merchandising Director, my-wardrobe.com
Melanie Rickey, Fashion News and Features Editor, Grazia

The FINALISTS' BOARDS

The 12 finalists that have been chosen are:

Sophie Louise Willet, Central St Martins

Charmaine Bould, University of Huddersfield

THE FINALISTS

WINNER 2008 FAD COMPETITION Alicia Stone, Nottingham Trent University

Alicia Stone, 21, from Nottingham Trent University walked away with the top prize at the 2008 FAD Competition last night, 22nd April 2008, with her design praised as ‘wearable, buyable and covetable’ by fashion journalist and jury member Melanie Rickey (Fashion Features & News Editor, Grazia).

A deceptively simple yet stunning design in a grey and white palette, interspersed with eye catching yellow and vibrant red detailing and accessories, displayed an innovative take on the brief which asked students to create one outfit that could be transformed through additional layers, altering its silhouette to create a new outfit fromthe original piece. Alicia Stone’s design received a unanimous vote from the jury and won her £2000 and a work-placement in Madrid with prestigious Spanish brand Hoss Intropia.

This year’s jury comprised a panel with a reputation for spotting new talent; Melanie Rickey (Fashion News and Features Editor, Grazia), Luisa de Paula (Buying & Merchandising Director, My-wardrobe.com), and Francesca Forcolini (owner of acclaimed London boutique, Labour of Love) lent their industry expertise to select the winner from