Emma (right) and our deserving winner, Molly (Chris Moore Photography)
We put on our glad rags and (of course) our handbags last night to mingle with the best of Britain’s young fashion talents at the gala show and awards ceremony that crowns Graduate Fashion Week.
London’s Earl’s Court was full of the brightest and the best, from the competitors themselves to the celebs (we loved seeing Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who looked terrific in a vintage-style dress and super-high heels).
Leading the Mulberry contingent was our Creative Director Emma Hill, who was there not only to fly the Mulberry flag (Emma was carrying her new-season favourite, the Mini Tayor Satchel in Bright Cabbage) but also to present the Accessories award for the third year running.
Like all of us, Emma was hugely impressed by Accessories winner Molly Ratcliff, a graduate of Northumbria University, saying: “Her illustrations were really professional, yet fabulous and inspiring.” What particularly caught Emma’s eye from Molly’s portfolio was her innovative clutch bag. Said Emma: “It was cut from one piece of leather and held together by screwhead rivets – we loved it!”
Out on the catwalk, the models were the epitome of cool professionalism, but backstage was tense, said Emma, with the fledging designers anxious to impress the audience, which was packed with industry execs, press and fashion royalty, not least the grande dame of British fashion journalism, Hilary Alexander of the Daily Telegraph.
Out on the runway, though, all was cool and creative, beautiful and polished. Showing their collections were the competitors who had been shortlisted for the main awards by the sponsor, George at Asda.
Pushing the boundaries is something British fashion has always done well, and these designers look set to carry on that tradition. Creativity, craft and technology were there in abundance: the collections ranged from simple capsule pieces in muted tones and delicate fabric to a colourful array of Chinese silk-inspired patterns and silhouettes and reptilian printed textures.
Scooping the top prize of £20,000 was Rory Longdon, a BA student from Nottingham Trent University, whose innovative work focuses on contemporary knitwear.
We were thrilled to be part of the evening and of the award, and our congratulations go out to Molly, Rory and the other talented winners.
At Mulberry, we’re proud to be British, and we’re particularly proud to champion young talent in Britain. It was great to see so many promising future fashion stars, including the lovely Molly and her fantastic clutch bags. Congratulations to you all!
