DMU students exhibit designs at leading fashion industry event

Students at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) recently showcased their designs at one of the fashion industry’s most prominent exhibitions.

Building on the continued success of the last four years, second year students from two courses - Fashion Textiles and Accessories and Textile Design – exhibited their work at the exclusive Premier Vision Paris in February.

The highly-anticipated exhibition brings together the main international players in the fashion industry, on the look-out for inspiring products and creative materials for their latest collections.

These ranged from high fashion brands like Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs, to well-known high-street names like Nike, Mango and Urban Outfitters.

As part of the #DMUglobal opportunity, students and graduates had the chance to display and sell their work on DMU’s trade show stand, attracting some of the biggest brands in the fashion industry.

Customers in the past have included Calvin Klein, Guy Laroche, Leonard, the Kooples, Rachel Roy and a number of Italian mills.

Students also benefitted from networking with studios and suppliers and were first in line to explore exciting internship opportunities.

RELATED NEWS
DMU students wow legendary designers at Chinese show
Graduate's collection goes on sale at Warehouse
DMU designs on catwalk at world's leading student fashion show

Jasmin Alsman and Jacklyn Nwandison are two of the 36 DMU students who went on the trip.

Jasmin said: “It was a really eye-opening experience. Until you get there, you can’t quite visualise how big the industry is.

“It made me realise that it’s exactly where I want to be when I graduate.”

Jacklyn said: “It was interesting to see the range of what is classed as fashion and textiles design. I came back totally inspired and with lots of creative ideas.

“The trip was also a great test for our independence and maturity, as we were left to navigate Paris and the exhibition alone. It was a really helpful insight in to what life after graduating will be like.”

This season the exhibition attracted more than 55,000 visitors such as buyers, designers and heads of fashion, and presented 1,725 exhibitors from 52 countries including spinners, weavers, accessory-makers, design studios, manufacturers, and tanners and furriers.

Alan Beattie, programme leader for FTA, said: “The sheer scale of the exhibition can be really overwhelming and students often feel like their senses have been bombarded.

“But the experience really helps them to up their game by starting to face outwardly and by developing their sense of professionalism.

“They come back feeling even more focussed than before and ready to take on their final year. It’s an incredible transformation to see.

“It’s also integral to us as a university that students leave us with great jobs, and Premier Vision Paris provides great employment opportunities for both current students and graduates.”