Gold Runner - April Griffiths

School: B6, Brook House Sixth Form College (Hackney).

Studies: Art and Design BTEC diploma.

Describe your outfit: Hooded top and shorts in beige/cream, seamed with gold thread. The top has a logo on the back in gold, with a man running and the Olympic rings above his head.

Favourite sport: I used to do long-distance running.

Ok, imagine it�s 2012 and the Olympics are here. Which
event could your outfit be worn at? Running or javelin �
any sports event really as at the Olympics shorts and a top is the basic outfit.

Worn by? The singer Keyshia Cole, it is in her style.

How did Greek Culture inspire you? I was inspired by the
way the material draped over the statues we saw at the British Museum. The running man logo I have on the back of my top was inspired by an image of a man running I saw on a Greek vase in the Museum.

And modern sportswear? I had a look at what people were wearing. I wanted something street but sporty. It influenced my choice of material. I chose to use jersey because it is sportswear, stretchy and very comfortable.

The toughest part of FAD FF2 was � using the different kinds of machines and sewing the bottom of the hooded jacket. To print the running man logo I used heat pressing, where you steam a gold sample onto fabric. It wasn�t hard to do but I had to experiment with a few samples so as to know how long I should hold down the heat press.

And the best bit? The end result. This is the first time I�ve finished a garment. I made one in Part 1 of FF2 but it didn�t turn out how I wanted, so I was really proud of this one. It looks as I wanted it to look.

Why FAD? I did FAD because I thought it would be good experience. In College I don�t getto focus on fashion � it�s everything from sculpture to 3D.

Biggest FAD lesson: Getting more understanding of the fashion world.

Your future: I�d like to go to university or fashion college to do fashion or fashion design. Eventually I�d like to have my own business designing womenswear. My favourite designer is Dolce and Gabbana.

Draped for Success � Alice Oluyitan

School: Our Lady�s Convent High School (Hackney).

Studies: Art, Textiles and Business Studies.

Describe your outfit: Top with ruched fabric at sides, has hoodie and and � length sleeves, trousers with ruching on the sides.

Ok, imagine it�s 2012, the Olympics are here. Which event could your design by worn at? Anything to do with running as it�s a hoodie top and tracksuit bottoms.

Favourite sport: Dance, street or contemporary.

Worn by? Anna Kournikova, she has a good image for sportswear and has advertised some sports labels including Addidas.

How did Greek culture inspire you? The way they wore their clothes, letting the material drape. I showed this in my outfit by allowing it to drape and using excess fabric.

And modern sportswear? I visited High Street stores like Nike, and Foot Locker to see how they combined High Street fashion with sportswear, so that it was still quite sporty but could be used for day-to-day wear. My garment could be worn for sport, casually or dressed up with heels for evening wear. I made it from cotton jersey which is used to make a lot of sportswear.

Did the ASDA talk help? Unfortunately I couldn�t attend the talk, but I visited the ASDA storein Leighton and researched ASDA on line to get a feel for their look and client base. I picked up on the fact that the fabrics they used were easy wash care and that they tended to favour quite straightforward designs.

What was the toughest part of FF2? Creating something as original possible yet sticking to the brief. That was tricky.

And the best bit? Just seeing my design come to life on the mannequin after all the hard work I put in during the week.

Why FAD? I thought it would be interesting to see how this was done outside school where you are following the requirements of one exam board. I wanted to see how fashion was done in a more independent environment.

Biggest FAD lesson: FAD taught me a lot about research: how to be more observational and visit exhibitions to look for ideas. I also learnt new skills for presenting my work. I didn�t know about creating design moodboards before.

Olympic Stylist - Charli Jade Coulson

School: Hackney Community College (Hackney).

Studies: Fashion and clothing A�Level.

Describe your outfit: A black leotard decorated with swathes of ribbon in the colours of the Olympic rings.

Favourite sport: Dancing or gymnastics.

Ok, imagine it�s 2012 and the Olympics are here. Which
event could your outfit be worn at? Running � it�s very streamlined, an all-in-one outfit. For everyday sport, it could be used for jogging or dance.

Worn by? Kelly Holmes � it would be an honour.

How did Greek Culture inspire you? I tried to reflect the draping of material on Greek statues by ruching the fabric in my outfit on the sides of the leotard.

And modern sportswear? This influenced my choice of material and type of outfit. I used black jersey to make an all-in-one leotard because I have done dance and know how comfortable leotards are. You can breathe and move in them easily. I also made a list of things associated with the Olympics which is how I came up with the colours for the ribbons.

Was the ASDA talk helpful? It was the best part of the course. We learned so much. I was engrossed hearing about all the different areas of fashion and we got to see how to make different things. It really gave me an incentive for the competition.

The toughest part of FAD FF2 was � Drawing the pattern because if you get the measurements wrong, it won�t fit. The basic first steps in making the design are crucial.

And the best bit? It was really satisfying to see something which started life as a little design in your sketchbook turned into a finished garment! I really appreciated the help we got and it was great to see what other people made too. Everyone on the course had an individual style and really developed during the course. I also enjoyed learning about accessory design � another first for me.

Why FAD? I thought it would be a good learning experience.

Biggest FAD lesson: Probably to take care with the design and really think things through. Some designs are impractical.

Your future: Hopefully, fashion and media at university. I�m thinking of becoming a fashion stylist later.

Going for Gold - Charlie Kaur

School: New Vic Sixth Form College (Newham), but I�m just starting a foundation course in Art and Design at Camberwell College of Art.

Describe your outfit: A black jersey top teamed with wide white cotton long shorts with gold seams, buttons and embroidery, including gold sequins. A belt made of linked gold rings.

Ok, imagine it�s 2012 and the Olympics are here. Which
event could your outfit be worn at? The torch-bearing ceremony. It can be dressed up or down but has an evening feel.

Worn by? Catharine Zeta-Jones would look great in it because she is curvy and has a Greek look.

How did Greek Culture inspire you? The designs on the pottery vases we saw at the British Museum inspired the embroidery on the shorts, while the draped look with the top reflects the way material was draped on the statues we saw in the Museum�s Greek section.

And modern sportswear? The comfort factor. That�s why I went for a wide shape with the trousers and a flowy feel to the top.

Was the ASDA talk helpful? Definitely! It made me think about how to make my design more commercial. I chose to use linen, because it is light and the design is for summer and jersey because it stretches and is comfortable.

The toughest part of FAD FF2 was � Using the industrial machines, especially the one for hemming!

And the best bit? I was really happy to see the final outfit.

Why FAD? I thought it would be good to do something in fashion outside college.

Biggest FAD lesson: Pattern cutting. I hated it at first because it seemed so complicated but the teacher showed us how to simplify it so we could try to do it. The teacher, Hazel, was wicked!

Your future: After my foundation course I would like to do a degree at the London College of Fashion, possibly in fashion and business. I would like to go into design and possibly fashion buying later.

The Fashionista - Daisy Boateng

School: St Angela�s and St Bonaventure�s Sixth Form (Newham).

Studies: Art, Textiles and Media studies

Describe your outfit: It�s a dress with a puffball skirt and the colours of the Olympic rings edging the pockets and in thick strips on the waist. I also made a bag decorated with stripes in the Olympic colours.

Favourite sport: Netball. I play centre and am team captain.

Ok, imagine it�s 2012 and the Olympics are here. Which
event could your outfit be worn at? Female gymnastics or ice-skating. I was influenced by Serena Williams� tennis dresses.

Worn by? Maria Shapirova wore it, because she is as dedicated to fashion as she is to sport.

How did Greek Culture inspire you? The patterns on the artefacts we saw in Greek section of the British Museum.

And modern sportswear? I incorporated the five colours of the Olympic rings into the stripes that appear all over my dress. I was looking at the summer trends for 2007 on the internet which include bright colours.

Was the ASDA talk helpful? It gave us insight into how the industry worked and that to fit in with ASDA�s range our designs should not be too far-fetched. I chose a cotton polyester mix because it is comfortable and does not irritate the skin and drapes well.

The toughest part of FAD FF2 was � The decoration was the hardest: I had to make bias binding for the pockets.

And the best bit? The people � and the fact we were all doing the same thing on the course. I enjoyed being independent.

Why FAD? A once in a lifetime opportunity.

Biggest FAD lesson: How to use different materials and to create the pattern for my dress in toile by draping it on the mannequin before I began the pattern cutting.I had made patterns for clothes before but just by using card to cut around. This is actually easier. It was the first time I had made something independently.

Your future: : Fashion promotion and PR. I�d like to get to promote what I love.

Fashion Athlete - Daneshia Arthur

College: Hackney Community College (Hackney).

Studies: I�m doing a BTEC national diploma in fashion and clothing.

Describe your outfit: A tailored hooded jacket with an empire line waist in blue bands and high-waisted tailored trousers, also decorated with strips of blue fabric.

Favourite sport: Athletics. I used to do the 100 metres.

Ok, imagine it�s 2012 and the Olympics are here. Which
event could your outfit be worn at? he ceremony where they receive the medals. Usually the athletes dress up for this in their tracksuits but they could wear my outfit as something different.

Worn by? Kelly Holmes.

How did Greek Culture inspire you? I fell in love with the empire line from Greek dresses and used that in the jacket and the high- waist band of my trousers.

And modern sportswear? The sportswear aspect really comes out in the hood. That adds a sporty casual feel.

Was the ASDA talk helpful? It was really inspirational and educational. The designer at ASDA looked at my designs in my sketchbook and said I would need to bring something more commercial into them. He said I need to design for a customer of every shape and size as my designs were stick thin catwalk models. Catwalk design is my dream, but the ASDA talk really opened my eyes to the fact that not everyone is the same size.

The toughest part of FAD FF2 was � I�ve made dresses and skirts before but I�ve never done trousers and making them with the higher waistline was a challenge. At one moment it seemed so complicated I wondered why I hadn't just designed a T-shirt, but the effort was worth it, as luckily I love challenges!

And the best bit? I enjoyed every step of it although there were stresses because I hadn�t done it before and I was pushing myself to achieve something at the end of the day. Probably I enjoyed putting together the pattern and the end product the most.

Why FAD? My teacher subscribed me to FAD (because she thought I was good enough).

Biggest FAD lesson: Garment construction. The teaching of this at FAD was excellent. The ASDA talk really opened my eyes to the basics of life as a designer. There was a lovely atmosphere on the course as well.

Toga Chic - Erin Adair

School: Raine�s Foundation school (Tower Hamlets)

Studies: A� Levels in Accounts Business Studies, Graphics Art and Textiles.

Describe your outfit: Caramel coloured shorts and an asymmetric sports jacket with poppers, a drawstring waist, drawstring sleeves and a grand-dad collar.

Favourite sport: Jogging.

Ok, imagine it�s 2012 and the Olympics are here. Which
event could your outfit be worn at? The hurdles, though I don�t know if they�d do it with a jacket.

Worn by? Kelly Holmes � she�s the biggest face, purely because of that.

How did Greek Culture inspire you? The cord ropes the Greeks used to tie up their toga tunics inspired me to design a drawstring waist. The stiff collar I made was influenced by the shape of Greek columns.

And modern sportswear? I was influenced by the matching suits Stella McCartney made for Addidas and the Nike Range. I looked for a free moving practical material and added a jacket because if it turns cold when you are jogging a jacket is useful. I wanted the material to be jersey (as it stretches) but in the end we went for cotton.

The toughest part of FAD FF2 was � lining up the collar so that the measurements fitted exactly.

And the best bit? Sewing and doing the buttons. I feel making the outfit was a great achievement as I�ve done it all myself. I�ve done fashion shows before and taken part in the alternative fashion week. But this was a lot more organised and structured. It was more like school � it was done over five days. Hazel was fantastic � she managed to help five people at once and you never had to wait long for help.

Why FAD? I did FF2 because I had done FF1 and absolutely loved it. I thought the prize sounded really good and the talk we heard at ASDA inspired me to do it.

Biggest FAD lesson: Research bulks up your design. When you have a problem � as I did with my material � I could look back to my research to see the different styles I had included earlier. So I learned the research really does matter.

Your future: I�d like to be a fashion designer or a graphic designer specialising in fashion, either womenswear or menswear.

Princess on Ice - Jade Bryant

School: Raine�s Foundation school (Tower Hamlets)

Studies: Art, Textiles and Religious Studies A-Level.

Describe your outfit: It�s a beige sleeveless dress with a dark brown waistband and pale blue buttons at the front. I also made a brown drawstring bag with a white cord strap featuring a blue costume jewel.

Favourite sport: Ice-skating, though dancing on ice is harder than it looks.

Ok, imagine it�s 2012 and the Olympics are here. Which
event could your outfit be worn at? Ice-skating, maybe tennis.

Worn by? Venus Williams. She�s well-known and would make a good job of promoting it.

How did Greek Culture inspire you? I was influenced by the draping and ripple of material on the Greek statues we saw and tried to capture the elegance of Ancient Greece in my dress, while keeping the design functional enough for everyday wear.

And modern sportswear? I considered the practical demands of sport, thinking about how thick the texture of my dress should be for example. I was inspired by Serena Williams the tennis star - she sticks to a sports style but is at the same time adventurous in her choice of clothing. I chose linen for the material because it falls nicely and shaped the mannequin well when I draped the material around it.

Was the talk at ASDA helpful? It gave me more ideas and helped me narrow down the kind of person and age range the dress was aimed at : e.g teens and young women aged 12 � 30. I was trying to create a versatile look which looks great on everyone.

The toughest part of FAD FF2 was � Pattern cutting. That was a challenge. I had made clothes before but this was the first time I had done pattern cutting.

And the best bit? Seeing the final result.! I was really chuffed. I knew I had put my heart and soul into it. Ever since I was little I wanted to do something in fashion.

Why FAD? I did FF1 and it was brilliant, phenomenal! This was a great opportunity so I grabbed it with both hands. It made me realise how many people want to be in this business, that there is going to be stiff competition but also I realised how much I really do want to be involved in fashion. The teachers were really supportive. I couldn�t have done it without them.

Your future: After school I am going to apply for a foundation degree in Art and Textiles. I want to carry on with fashion, to run away with it.

Making Waves - Kolean Roberts

School: The Skinners� Company�s School for Girls (Hackney).

Studies: I am about to start a foundation course in Art and Design at the London College of Fashion.

Describe your outfit: A t-shirt and � length trousers, both of which have a pattern in white, of wavy lines down one side.

Favourite sport: Badminton.

Ok, imagine it�s 2012 and the Olympics are here. Which
event could your outfit be worn at? If it was for use at a sporting event I would have used tighter material, but this could be worn a spectator, maybe to the Tennis.

Worn by? I wouldn�t ask or pay a celebrity to wear my outfit, I�d wear it myself! That is my look. When I start to make outfits for my course, I will have to make them for myself and start to wear them. This is my kind of taste, sexy and sophisticated.

How did Greek Culture inspire you? The pattern I used was inspired by those on the vases we saw the British Museum. Originally I wanted to include a logo inspired by the Greek columns we saw there too.

And modern sportswear? I wanted something that would be flexible to move in and make the customer feel good.

Was the talk at ASDA helpful? Their designs were simple and straightforward so I decided to go for something simple too. I chose to do menswear to do something a bit different.

The toughest part of FAD FF2 was � doing the pattern on the trousers and top. I made the clothes first and then added the pattern by turning the garments inside out, drawing the pattern on them, and stitching over the lines I�d drawn on the sewing machine. It involved a lot of concentration!

And the best bit? The sketchbook. I put the most work into that and felt I learned a lot from the figure drawing. I also enjoyed the elaborate stitching.

Why FAD? I did FAD because I just wanted to be noticed! My teacher told me about it and I also wanted to make links through FAD to know who to call when I am looking for work later.

Biggest FAD Lesson Using the machines � I didn�t know there were so many different kinds of machines! And learning pattern-cutting as well as that is how the whole outfit hangs together.

Your future: Eventually I would like to have my own label. But after my foundation course, I would like to get into Central St Martin�s and do a BA for three years there. The last year you have to do a placement and I would like to go to Tokyo, in Japan to do this because it is a huge centre for fashion and you see people wearing outrageous stuff. It�s really creative what they wear there, far more than what you would see in England. They really mix it up.

Way A-Head - Martha Attang

School: Our Lady�s Convent High School (Hackney).

Studies: English, Art and Textiles A�Levels.

Describe your outfit: Shorts and a jacket with a stiff collar. On the back of the jacket, gold sequins outline a man�s head,in the style of a Greek coin.

Favourite sport: Football. For a national team I support Italy (I�m half-Italian) and for a local team, probably Arsenal.

Ok, imagine it�s 2012 and the Olympics are here. Which
event could your outfit be worn at? Any of them! Shorts are
quite practical for sport and the jacket could be worn over leotards.

Worn by? Anna Kournikova. I don�t rate her as a tennis player but she�s pretty so would be bound to get photographed a lot which would be great for promoting my outfit!

How did Greek Culture inspire you? I literally started off looking at Greek vases, coins and sculptures of heads. The colours on Greek vases also influenced me � they were black and cream and I translated this to black and gold which is more dramatic. For the sequins, I experimented with other materials first like ribbons but eventually stuck with sequins. I made a leaf out of sequins for my research.

And modern sportswear? I like sports jackets so, as well as considering the needs of the ASDA customer, I thought of what I would like to wear and to buy. I chose black jersey as the most
appropriate material and I wanted something with a bit of stretch.

Was the talk at ASDA helpful? Yes, it made me think
about keeping my design as simple as possible to fit in with the George range. Also, I noticed while there that George were already making jogging bottoms with sequins.

The toughest part of FAD FF2 was � Coming up with a
design suitable for George, which meant it had to be simplified as much as possible and also from a practical point of view could be made within the one week FF2 deadline.

And the best bit? Definitely seeing the end result.

Why FAD? I�ve always been interested in fashion and
thought this was a great opportunity. Also I did FF1 in year 10 and
enjoyed it. I had made a jacket and a dress in Textiles classes at school and sometimes customise tops in my spare time. But FAD was much faster. We got stuck in with making the garment earlier and with less preliminary paperwork. I prefer this way of working.

Biggest FAD Lesson To be a bit more independent. There weren�t so many tutors during the summer school so I tried to figure out what needed doing myself before going to the tutor. That helps me now in school because there is only one teacher for the whole class. It is good to learn by yourself.

Your future: I�d love to do a fashion course, maybe a foundation course. I�m thinking through and researching all the options.

Puffball Champion - Mina Yakrang.

School: The Skinners� Company�s School for Girls (Hackney).

Studies: Art and Design A Level.

Describe your outfit: It�s a v-necked dress with a puffball skirt.

Favourite sport: Tennis. I play with friends and family

Ok, imagine it�s 2012 and the Olympics are here. Which
event could your outfit be worn at? The Tennis.

Worn by? Serena Williams.

How did Greek Culture inspire you? I was very taken with the pattern on the vases and the way the material was draped on the statues. I am from Afghanistan so I compared Greek architecture and clothing with that of my own culture.

And modern sportswear? I�ve always had a dream of making a tennis dress. I�ve always liked tennis.

Was the talk at ASDA helpful? It was because they told us about fashion as a business, and guided us as to how to think about our choice of material, customers etc. It really inspired me. I chose to make my dress in cotton as it is a light material suitable for sport.

The toughest part of FAD FF2 was � The sewing. The pattern-cutting gave me a headache. I�ve never done textiles before.

And the best bit? It gave me more confidence. I know now that I can make a garment, and I really enjoyed the workshop.

Why FAD? A teacher at school gave us information about it.

Biggest FAD Lesson I learned a lot about fashion and the ASDA talk gave me more ideas about what I could do and an insight into the business. Probably in the future I will do a fashion course.

Your future: I would like to do fashion at university and maybe be a designer of clothes but also of accessories as well.

Miss Pr�t-�-Pocket - Mumtaz Subhan.

School: Parliament Hill School (Camden)

Studies: Art, Textiles and Maths A�Levels

Describe your outfit: Beige cotton jacket and � length trousers, with pockets on jacket and trousers embellished with an embroidered leaf design. The jacket is seamed with gold thread and the outfit comes with a brown gauze belt which has the same leaf design as the pockets, and a string of translucent beads. I also made a cream bag patterned with the leaf motif and with gauzy handles in a golden brown material.

Favourite sport: None, I�m not into sport.

Ok, imagine it�s 2012 and the Olympics are here. Which
event could your outfit be worn at? It�s quite smart so I�d say the prize ceremony.

Worn by? J-Lo. She�s a designer, and I like what she does.

How did Greek Culture inspire you? I liked the patterns on the buildings and the jars. I also chose linen as I thought this the closest to the light materials the Greeks used. They used chiffony materials so I included a chiffon belt.

And modern sportswear? That is reflected in the bagginess and the layers and gathering in my outfit.

Was the talk at ASDA helpful? I looked at ASDA�s George Collection and saw it included jackets and trousers and used linen, so this influenced my choices.

The toughest part of FAD FF2 was � Putting the jacket together. I had never done this before, but after stitching it together using the overlocking machine, I now understand what is involved in making a garment. When I go to shops now and look at clothes I understand how long it takes to make them.

And the best bit? Making pockets! They were easy so I included them everywhere on my design. Also making something in just a week! I can�t believe I managed it.

Why FAD? In year 10, I did a two-week placement with a manufacturer and I design and research clothes in my spare time, so I liked the look of the FAD course.

Biggest FAD Lesson I learned how to present my work and that you don�t simply make a garment, you have to do your research first and to know the measurements so as not to make something too big or too small.

Your future: I am looking into doing a merchandising and design course at LCF after my A-Levels.

The Fashion Buyer - Nadine Scott.

School: B6, Brook House Sixth Form College (Hackney).

Studies: I did Art and Design, Psychology and Business Studies for A-Level and am about to start a degree in Fashion Merchandise Management at the University of Westminster.

Describe your outfit: A short-sleeved tennis dress with a v-necked draw-string hooded top and a pleated skirt.

Favourite sport: Athletics

Ok, imagine it�s 2012 and the Olympics are here. Which
event could your outfit be worn at? Tennis.

Worn by? Either Anna Kournikova or the Williams sisters.

How did Greek Culture inspire you? The tunics and columns we saw at the British Museum. My outfit has a lot of pleats!

And modern sportswear? I chose jersey for the material as it is breathable, not itchy and very comfortable for sport.

Was the talk at ASDA helpful? Yes, it made me think about cost-cutting to fit in with ASDA�s overheads for manufacturing and also about keeping my design simple, without too much intricacy.

The toughest part of FAD FF2 was � Pattern cutting. It was hard to draw out the design on a large piece of paper and calculate the measurements correctly and yet keep it looking like your design. In fact I hadn�t made a dress before.

And the best bit? The people! They were great. Hazel the teacher was lovely. It was great having a finished product in a week. I was really surprised I was able to do it and it looked quite good!

Biggest FAD Lesson To carry on. At one point on the first day when I was drawing the pattern I thought �this is taking too long, I�m not going to finish it�. But Hazel encouraged me to carry on. She gave me advice on pattern cutting and options for the future.

Your future: Ultimately I would like to be a fashion buyer but while doing my course, I would like to enrol part time on a design course and keep doing design on the side. I would like to be a fashion buyer because you get to see the world and I like resourcing � finding new things�

Frill-Seeker - Nandi Akin

School: The Skinners� Company�s School for Girls (Hackney).

Studies: Art and Design A�level

Describe your outfit: A sleeveless tennis dress with two frills at the bottom of the skirt.

Favourite sport: Badminton. I play it at a sports centre

Ok, imagine it�s 2012 and the Olympics are here. Which
event could your outfit be worn at? Tennis.

Worn by? Serena Williams, the tennis star. I am a big fan.

How did Greek Culture inspire you? The little frills at the bottom of my dress were inspired by the pleats in uniforms of Greek warriors.

And modern sportswear? I really like Serena William�s clothing.

Was the talk at ASDA helpful? It helped me think about my future career, what path to go down. As far as my outfit goes, it helped me think about what the customer wants, and using material that was within the ASDA manufacturing budget. I learned how ASDA looks at other designers and adapts the trends for their own market, and the factors influencing their choice of colours and materials. I used stretch cotton to give my dress a fitted effect.

The toughest part of FAD FF2 was � Hemming with the overlocking machine, which I did not know how to use before.

And the best bit? I enjoyed learning how to use the different sewing machines.

Biggest FAD Lesson The ASDA talk. That gave me a real insight into how the fashion industry works.

Your future: I want to carry on in fashion and textiles and perhaps eventually have my own womenswear label.

Fashion Warrior - Nicola Aitcheson

School: Hackney Community College (Hackney).

Studies: I was studying a BTEC NC in Fashion and Clothing. I finished that last July and in October I'm going to the London College of Fashion to start my part-time degree in Fashion Studies. I'm really looking forward to it.

Describe your outfit: Trousers and top with detached hoodie and crescent-shaped pocket with Velcro fastening on front. All made out of beige linen.

Favourite sport: Gymnastics because I always wanted to do gymnastics when I was younger.

Ok, imagine it's 2012 and the Olympics are here. Which
event could your outfit be worn at? It could be worn in the opening and closing ceremonies, because that's when the athletes wear the longest tracksuits. Otherwise it would be mainly suitable for athletics.

Worn by? Thierry Henry or Ronaldinho.

How did Greek Culture inspire you? The Chlamys, an ancient item of clothing inspired my menswear design. The Chlamys was worn by Roman and Greek soldiers around the neck as an outer garment. Something about the way it was draped across the body attracted me. From there, I started sketching the shape onto pictures of male-models, who fitted the athletic image that I had in my head. Altering the Chlamys and incorporating sportswear into the equation, brought about my final design. I'm quite chuffed with it because it is the first menswear garment/design that I've ever made.

And modern sportswear? I'd say the tracksuit. I wanted to create a garment that was good for different weathers but which wouldn't look out of place if worn casually somewhere else like to the cinema.

Was the talk at ASDA helpful? It made me reconsider how complex my design would be. To illustrate what's what to the pattern cutter - the exact size and placement of a pocket for example - you have to make up a booklet of specifications. It seemed that one jacket alone needed a mini specification book! What this made me realise is that if I am not completely sure of the exact size of a pocket for example I haven't thought out my design enough, or covered all the angles. So if for instance I am going to place a zip on an outfit, I need to think about the length, where exactly it will start and finish on the fabric.

The toughest part of FAD FF2 was � The hardest part was making the crescent-shaped pocket on the front. A good learning experience. But I think I'll stick to regular pockets for a while.

And the best bit? Seeing my design come together. That�s always been the best part for me.

Why FAD? It sounded really good - a competition that would teach me extra skills. I just felt that I could combine the skills that I was learning whilst studying with the ones that I would learn with FAD. I assumed it would help me be good at both.

Biggest FAD Lesson My pocket and learning how to use draping. Draping is a useful skill and I'm using it in my next competition too. Already I'm using the skills I learnt from FAD.

Your future: My degree. More competitions and work placements. I have a five-year plan and have completed phase one already.

Y-3 Guy Stanley Nelson

School: St Angela�s and St Bonaventure�s Sixth Form (Newham).

Studies: Textiles, Art and Business A-Level.

Describe your outfit: A wide hooded jacket with zip pockets at the front and � length trousers.

Favourite sport: Football. I support Arsenal.

Ok, imagine it�s 2012 and the Olympics are here. Which
event could your outfit be worn at? Long-distance running.

Worn by? I don�t know but anyone could wear it for their daily runaround.

How did Greek Culture inspire you? I developed my ideas more from present day sportswear.

So, what inspired you from sportswear? How sportswear influences other kinds of clothing such as casual wear. I was inspired by the Addidas Y-3 collection, which is sporty with a twist of class. This is about fashion wear as functional sports design, about creating sportswear that can be used on the catwalk.

Was the talk at ASDA helpful? It taught me that when you are designing you are not designing for yourself. That�s why it is important to keep in mind what is in fashion. The material I used was jersey with a bit of stretch, but not overly stretchy: it is a smooth , durable material.

The toughest part of FAD FF2 was � designing the back of my jacket, which consists of three pieces of material, with a flash strip down the back. I�ve made jackets before. But this time round, I really had to get down to work. I didn�t think we would have enough time in which to do it. My outfit is finished, but lacks finishing touches. It is not the complete article.

And the best bit? The designing and the making. Getting from 2D to 3D

Why FAD? I wanted to get more insight into the fashion industry and thought it was a good opportunity to develop my skills and get information from other people who think differently to my teachers and people I meet in my daily life.

Biggest FAD Lesson What it taught me was to be as creative but as practical as possible. To be creative on the page but to make sure that the garment fits its purpose/the brief.

Your future: I would like to go to London College of Fashion to do the foundation year. In the future, I am not sure what I will do probably menswear though I am not sure yet. I admire Yohji Yamamoto who does the Addidas Y-3 collection because of the way he has made sport fashionable. Before that people wore sportswear when they couldn�t think what else to wear but he put the fashion into sport.