20 finalists from 13 colleges and universities selected as finalists will present their collections on a catwalk, followed by the announcement of the winners and a Reception.

The brief challenges the entrants for the 6th FAD Competition to embark on a visual journey to ancient Egypt and become fashion archaeologists, exploring and excavating its craftsmanship, symbolism and techniques.

Close your eyes and think of Egypt: the aromas of the great bazaars of Cairo, the magnificent pyramids of Giza, the gilded tombs of Pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings.

The students were asked to reflect all of this in two outfits: "Charm", consisting of fabrics lashed together, concealing objets trouvs: jewels, and amulets, and Geometric, a piece of clothing triangular and geometric in shape which protects the body and imitates the building-wrap sculptures of Christo and Jean-Claude.

The results, to judge by the students workbooks, will be stunning. Think strings of coins jangling under layers of multi-coloured clothing, or eye-catching dresses composed of panels of fabric in alternating colours, copper, greens, and gold, with jagged 'pyramid hems' or hidden pouches stuffed with amulets, lockets and secrets..

Louise de Caires, FAD's creative director said: "As each new generation comes through art/fashion school the edges blur between the disciplines, and the interpretation is linked more closely to uncovering and dissecting the elements of the brief and researching a particular artist. This translates into amazing textile experimentation, for students who refuse to buy "over the counter" fabrics but try to reinvent the original looking closely at how to achieve this through processes like burying raw cloth in sand, magnifying a corner of rug and producing a painting. The art element in fashion is here to stay!"

To apply for tickets email us on info@fad.org.uk

THE BRIEF
URBAN NOMAD: Objets Trouve

Calling all Fashion Archaeologists - we are inviting you to uncover the mysteries of Egypt through a journey from the pyramids of Giza to the hustle and bustle, smells and bells of Cairo. Egypt! A glorious open air museum of astounding temples and monuments. ...land of the lush, fertile river banks of the Nile. ...land of subterfuge.

EXPANDING ON THE BRIEF
FASHION: Meaning and Message.

In conversation with Louise de Caires, Creative Director of Fashion Awareness Direct and Mary Eyre, Director of Fashion Awareness Direct.

Louise has created FAD's innovative competition briefs. As FAD aims to develop talent in the fashion industry, we thought we'd ask Louise a few questions about fashion...starting with the basics:

THE WINNER

Inspiration, creativity and unprecedented skill all came together yesterday, with Terri Cohen from Nottingham Trent, astounding judges with her beautiful outfits to take home the first prize in the nationwide Graduate Competition held by the educational fashion charity FAD.

THE FINALISTS

The FINALISTS' BOARDS

The 20 finalists that have been chosen are: