THE BRIEF
URBAN AVANGUARDIA - Italian Cool is back in Vogue

Fashion Awareness Direct Graduate Fashion Competition 2003 in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute supported by the British Fashion Council

FINALISTS
URBAN AVANGUARDIA - Italian Cool is back in Vogue

WINNERS
URBAN AVANGUARDIA - Italian Cool is back in Vogue

THE WINNER OF THE 2003 FAD GRADUATE FASHION COMPETITION BRINGS ORIENTALISM INTO THE COLOURS OF THE CITY OF VENICE

The winner of the 3rd FAD Graduate Fashion Competition is Wendy Li, from Salford University. Commenting on her entry the judges said the two outfits, both beautifully executed, revealed the fragility of Madam Butterfly and the subtle colours of Venetian life:
�The Past Historic is like a sculpture, a true museum piece�. Wendi Li wins the first prize of �2,000 and a coveted work placement with the Missoni Fashion House.

Kathryn Brennand from Northumbria University is the first runner-up. The judges commented on how well she achieved her initial brief and her good use of traditional fabric, bringing a contemporary feel by over-printing detailed embroidery and sumptuous lining and with the beautifully tailored tail coats.

Kelly Vickery�s designs won the admiration of the judges for her hand-made techniques including dying, beading, lace and embroidery. She wins the second runner-up prize.

The two runners-up win �1,000 each and work placements with the Costume Department of the Royal Opera House and Belinda Robertson Designer.

Jury members, Luca Missoni from the Missoni Fashion House, Darryl Jaffray from ROH, Suzanne Lussier from V&A, Louise de Caires from FAD, Anthony Cuthbertson from DAKS and Tracey Bartlett, winner of the 2nd FAD Graduate Fashion Competition had a very difficult task to choose the winner. Rosemary Forbes-Butler chairing the meeting managed to come to a difficult agreement on the three winners. All the judges felt that all the 15 finalists were winners, but only three could be named.

The fifteen finalists will present their collections at the fashion show at the V&A on Wednesday 9th April and the winners will be announced by Vittorio Radice, Executive Director Marks & Spencer.

Visuals will be available from 10th April 2003