Hottest lingerie designers from DMU shine at UK's biggest trade event


Contour Fashion students at De Montfort University (DMU) Leicester are excited to have their lingerie featured in a four-page magazine spread ahead of exhibiting at the UK’s biggest trade event.

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Charley Chiddle's romantic design was one of 23 shortlisted in the Triumph competition

The feature in Underlines – one of the industry’s leading lingerie magazines – showcases the creative designs of 23 DMU students who were recently finalists in a competition set by global brand Triumph.

Their work will also be displayed at MODA 2017, the largest lingerie and swimwear trade exhibition in the UK, alongside the work of other students on the course.

Thousands of industry experts will flock to the NEC Birmingham between 19-21 February to discover new talent, as DMU’s world-renowned Contour Fashion course celebrates its 70th anniversary.

The students, who will be on hand at DMU’s stand to talk to professionals about their work, have been given an incredible platform to shine through the magazine feature and MODA show.

Photography and Video graduate Sean Goldthorpe shot the collections in the spectacular Vijay Patel Building, home to the DMU’s art and design courses. Contour Fashion alumna and make-up artist to The Brit Awards, Katy Short, was responsible for make-up.

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Praised for reinventing classic black lingerie, Abi's neckline makes a bold statement

Student Abi Osborne’s reinvention of classic black lingerie with intricate hand embroidery was recognised in the fashion category of the Triumph competition.

Motivated by the challenge of making beautiful lingerie to accommodate a fuller bust, Abi said: “It’s incredible to have four years of hard work recognised in this way.

“I’m looking forward to doing some market research and making good contacts while I’m at MODA. It’s exciting to think that being there could lead to work experience offers, or even freelance work.”

The aspiring garment technologist is in her fourth year at DMU after taking the yearlong Art and Design (Foundation Studies) course to help her choose between an art or textiles-based degree.

She said: “I absolutely loved it and would do it again if I could. It opens up everything you can do and then helps you narrow it back down.”

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Georgia creates lots of drama with drapery 

Georgia Phillips’ work captures the notion of underwear as outerwear, exploring dramatic drapery and embracing challenging fabrics such as lace, acetate satin and chiffon.

She said: “I feel so lucky to have this opportunity. It’s the biggest project we’ve ever done so far and it’s so gratifying to have all our hard work acknowledged by the industry.

“I’m going to try to stand out and push as hard as I can at MODA, while enjoying it knowing it’s the last time I’ll ever be there as a student.

“Hopefully next time I’ll be there as a professional!”

Gillian Proctor, Subject Leader for Contour Fashion at DMU, said: “For several years now the course has been a significant feature in MODA alongside this collaboration with Underlines magazine. Our role is to showcase the future of the industry.

“It is also important that MODA will give students the opportunity to interact with industry. Our link with this event has led to placements, sponsorship, job offers and media exposure as well as networking events for our students.”

Contour Fashion was introduced at DMU in 1947 to support the local corset industry.

It is the oldest and most successful degree-level course in intimate apparel, covering lingerie, corsetry, swimwear, nightwear and sportswear, and is widely regarded by industry experts as one of the best in the world.

Posted on Friday 17 February 2017

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