A total of 20 Contour Fashion students from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) will show their work on a London catwalk in front of some of the industry’s biggest names, after impressing five judges.
Louisa's laser-cut leather crinolines
The final year students on the world-renowned course were chosen through a rigorous selection event, showing their fashion-forward designs in front of a panel of industry experts.
Out of the 50 strong entries, 20 students were selected and will go on to see their work on the catwalk in Covent Garden’s Freemason’s Hall on Monday 13 June. Others who were not selected will show their work at stands during the event.
DMU’s annual Contour Fashion show is an excellent opportunity for third year students to show off their talent to industry heads and media, and to gain experience of working in one of the world’s fashion capitals.
During judging, the students showed a wide variety of work from lingerie, corsetry and nightwear to swimwear and sportswear, in a range of materials such as leather, lace, metal, latex and velvet.
The catwalk show will be the icing on the cake for the students who during their time at DMU have won numerous competitions and placements with top brands including Gossard, Next, Lascivious, Aubade, H&M and Gap.
Beaded lace collection by Katherine Blake
Louisa Haywood’s spectacular laser-cut crinoline creations were recently featured at the world-leading V&A museum and Oscar-winning Sands Films Studio, as part of rock legend Brian May’s latest book launch.
The 21-year-old said: “Being selected for the catwalk is a great way to end a degree and it proves that hard work pays off.”
Having an engineer as a dad also came in handy when building her metal structures and laser-cutting her fabric.
Louisa said: “My dad’s really excited too as he’s invested so much in my work. He even helped build my shorter crinoline in his garage.”
Leicester’s Botanical Gardens are the inspiration behind Eliza McCann’s collection, which is skilfully dyed with homemade vegetable dyes.
The Gossard Commercial Prize winner said: “I still can’t believe I got picked. This is something I’ve been dreaming about for three years and it seems too good to be true.
“To have the chance to show my work in front of so many people from the industry will be such a proud moment.”
Funeral-inspired lingerie by Joleigh Duncan
Her exploration of natural landscapes and constructing them out of beaded lace is what earned Katherine Blake a place on the catwalk, as well as on Brian May’s book tour.
She said: “It feels surreal to have been chosen. The standard of our whole year group has been really high, so I never expected to make it through.
“I’m so excited about the catwalk and can’t wait to see the opportunities it opens up for us.”
The judges were Creative Director of Courtaulds, Mandy Ferrand, Product Manager at Triumph, Monica Herrington, Editor of Lingerie Insight magazine, Sarah Clarke, Managing Director of Coco de Mer, Lucy Litwack and Director of Lingerie Edit, David Finlayson.
All five were impressed with the standard of the 50 collections they saw on Monday 17 May.
A regular DMU panellist with over 36 years of industry experience, Mandy Ferrand said: “Being part of this process is great. The high-street is very price-driven which can stifle creativity, so I’m passionate about exposing new talent and DMU has heaps of it.
“DMU’s selection day never disappoints and there are always students that amaze you. At Courtaulds we often hire DMU graduates and seeing them grow and thrive is fantastic.”
Indiana Muslin's exploration of Irises
Sarah Clarke said: "As always, it was an absolute pleasure to see the students’ final-year projects come to life. They always amaze me with how creative an innovative they are, especially since they haven’t even started their lingerie careers yet!"
"The girls have amazing futures ahead of them and I can’t wait to feature their work in Lingerie Insight magazine."
Winner of the Gossard Glamourzonian Prize earlier this year, Indiana Maslin’s work explores the colour and changing shape of Irises as they wilt.
The 20-year-old said: “I’m really excited about showing my work on the catwalk, it feels like it will be my introduction to the adult work.”
Joleigh Duncan’s collection is a take on voodoo and black magic, with a funeral-inspired range of lingerie.
The 22-year-old said: “I feel overwhelmed at being picked, but it’s absolutely amazing and I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved.
“Showing off my work on professional models and in front of industry media is the icing on the cake.”
Botany and homemade vegetable dyes inspired Eliza McCann
The full list of the 20 students whose designs will be showcased on the London catwalk is: Louisa Haywood, Hannah Crawford, Megan Hall, Louise Saynor, Indiana Maslin, Charlotte Britten, Joleigh Duncan, Zara Hoggard, Grace Garner, Rachael Watson, Eliza McCann, Betsan Evans, Harriet Merry, Thea Rostant, Megan Blakemore, Becky Harkins, Kathryn Pomfret, Ellie Carta, Katherine Blake and Helen Tieman.
Established in 1947 to support the local corset industry, DMU Contour Fashion is the oldest and most successful degree-level course in intimate apparel and is widely regarded by industry experts as one of the best in the world.
Posted on Wednesday 18 May 2016