2010 EXHIBITION

On Monday 10th May 2010, Fashion Futures 2 students from London and Manchester presented a collaborative exhibition of one off designs inspired by the stunning new Renaissance & Medieval galleries at the V&A museum. F.A.D. volunteer and journalism student, Joanne Prempeh reports.

“I’ve learnt how fashion can reflect status, both during the Renaissance and today, I’ve enjoyed making my garment and the work leading up to it and exploring the past for inspiration.” – Melissa Payne, Hackney Community College, North London

F.A.D. focuses on allowing those interested in pursuing a career in fashion to do just that. Students, aged from 16 to 18 years-old, are able to work with fashion professionals and practicing designers, from the foundations of initial research and garment design, to pattern cutting and constructing a finished toile. All this, in the aim to create a final look that will be chosen for the 2010 FAD Junior Awards, taking place at London Fashion Week in September.

This year, F.A.D. invited 130 art and design students from London and Greater Manchester to participate in their Fashion Futures 2 course. The task: to create an individual design inspired by the new Renaissance and Medieval galleries at the V&A Museum under the theme of ‘New Luxury’.

F.A.D. provides a thorough education into the working fashion world. Enough to be associated with leading fashion institutions in London and receive frequent press coverage. While providing participants with the opportunity to delve into the fashion world, the charity allows students to consider their options and pursue a career in fashion. As a result many participants have made the decision to continue to study fashion/design at college or university, while for others the Fashion Futures 2 has had a more personal effect.

“I think events like this are very good, very encouraging for young students. We are from the Manchester area, so it’s great for the kids to come down to London. It gives them a real sense of promise, that they can actually do something.” – Mother of Greater Manchester student

On the evening F.A.D. revealed a new and exciting partnership with the University of East London (UEL), who will be hosting the 5 day summer school in the Olympic borough of Newham this year. Many watched in anticipation as the finalists of the 2010 Fashion Futures 2 project were announced by Caryl Court, Senior Fashion Lecturer at UEL.

From over 100 hundred young people, 25 finalists were chosen for their exquisite designs, enthusiasm and commitment. 10 students from North London, 10 from South London and 4 from Greater Manchester will now go on to make up their final garments for the 2010 FAD Junior Awards, which will take place in September at Vauxhall Fashion Scout.

Further enlightenment came from guest speaker, Susan Aubrey-Cound, Director of Multi Channel Development at Marks & Spencer. She spoke about her personal experience of volunteering in the South London workshops, how impressed she was with the commitment and talent demonstrated by the students and how privileged she felt to have been involved with the project.

So, with such accomplished designs being displayed in the early stages of the competition, we can only wait in excitement to see what is produced during the summer.

Meet the 25 talented students who have made it through to the next stage of Fashion Futures here.

FAD would like to say a big thank you to our team of young exhibition volunteers. Also to our photographers: Kat Drury and Janz Datinguinoo (www.montagephotographs.co.uk).