Outfits designed by University of Brighton fashion students will be on display at the Brighton branch of The White Company clothing brand on Wednesday evening (6pm to 8pm). The display marks the culmination of a project between The White Company and the University of Brighton. Fashion with Business Studies students were asked to submit six outfit collections to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the company, after first studying the brand’s history and conducting market research.
Their final submissions were expected to reflect The White Company’s identity and ethos. All of the students produced one of their six outfit designs in fabrics – 12 of which made the shortlist that was selected by the company’s Design Director Barbara Horspool.
Eventually this list was narrowed down to six finalists: Mille Smith, Ellie Stillingfleet, Damian Campbell, Maximillian Jennings, Lara Frank and Donald Venables.
Donald Venables won first prize, with second and first prize going to Lara Frank and Damian Campbell respectively. The six finalists will showcase their designs in the store between 6pm and 8pm on Wednesday, with winner Donald Venables’ outfit on display in the shop window.
Donald won £500 prize money and the chance to have his outfit put into production and sold in selected stores across the UK and America.
Darran Arabin-Gander, Senior Lecturer in Fashion with Business Studies, said: “The important thing about this project is the fact that students have the opportunity to work with a hugely well-regarded luxury High Street fashion brand who have also just started to launch some new stories in the USA.
“Working with the company’s clothing director Barbara Horspool, who has countless years in the fashion industry working for brands such as New Look, Hobbs and Topshop, the students had the chance to experience the realities and viabilities of how to implement creativity with commercial appeal – which of course is a vital skill needed for any potential graduate ready to embark on the sometimes intimidating fashion industry.”
Find out about the University’s Fashion and Textiles degrees.
