FASHION AWARENESS DIRECT
5th GRADUATE FASHION COMPETITION
Supported by Edge


Launch
Fashion Awareness Direct (FAD) is committed to helping young designers succeed in their careers and to further this ideal, organizes an annual competition for fashion students at colleges across the UK. FAD is now pleased to announce the launch of the 5th Graduate Fashion Competition.

History
The 2004 FAD competition was held at the Raphael Gallery of the V&A where Gwynn Miles, Director of Projects & Estate of the V&A, announced the winner, Yong Su Kim from Central St. Martin’s; and the two runners-up, from Istituto Marangoni UK and Central St. Martin’s respectively. Jury members included Lluis Juste de Nin, Chief Executive of Armand Basi, Barcelona; Caroline Collis-Burstein, Buyer from Browns, London; Tamara & Natasha Surguladze from Tata Naka; Louise de Caires from FAD, and Tomas Vlachioties, finalist at the 3rd FAD Graduate Fashion Competition. The jury was chaired by Suzanne Lussier of the V & A. Entries were received from 18 different UK colleges, and 15 finalists were chosen.

The 2003 competition was held at the Sculpture Gallery of the V & A with a panel of judges which included Luca Missoni from the Missoni House, Darryl Jaffray from the Royal Opera House and Louise de Caires from FAD. The winners were from the Salford University, Northumbria University and the University of East London.

About our Sponsor
This competition is receiving sponsorship from Edge, a new charitable foundation that shines a spotlight on success – on people who have achieved through practical learning, on those who provide outstanding practical learning experiences, and on those who demonstrate they value practical learning. Practical learning involves learning from experts and requires links to be made between practice, theory and judgement. It is education and work experience rolled into one. Like all good learning it fosters confidence, creativity and flexibility, and improves core skills such as teamwork, communication, organisation and the ability to learn.

Entries
Entrants for the 5th FAD Graduate Fashion Competition should bear in mind the philosophy of FAD: that fashion should enhance the dignity of the wearer. FAD supports the ideals of creativity, innovation and originality in the design and making of fashion.

Entries will be judged according to the following criteria:

research into and interpretation of the brief translation of the brief into fabric research translation from sketch into garment & sewing skills originality and creativity of the two designs - harmony and balance presentation of the project biographical information (see competition guidelines) adherence to FAD’s ethos as explained above. As a guideline entrants should respect the dignity of the body and enable the model to feel comfortable wearing the clothes.