Fashion designers praised the great start to their careers they received at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) at a showcase held in New York.
Contour Fashion head Gillian Proctor (centre) with DMU alumni
Alumni from DMU’s acclaimed Contour Fashion and Fashion Design courses were able to meet with former lecturers and current students at an event held, appropriately enough, in New York’s Garment District.
Freelance designer Sara Caspi moved from California to study at DMU after searching for a course which taught the practical industry know-how that she was seeking. She graduated in 2005 and saw her work showcased at London’s Graduate Fashion Week, the first time which Contour Fashion had been on the catwalk.
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Sara, who travelled from Santa Monica to New York for the event, said: “I was searching and searching to find a course which delivered what I was looking for and DMU was it.
"It was a very technical course, but there was a lot of room for creativity, which was a great combination.
“Understanding bras from a technical perspective makes you a better designer and the industry knows that if you are from DMU you will have the skills they need.”
Sophie Kempner, who graduated in Fashion Design in 2011, is now living the dream in New York working for fashion designer Rubin Singer. She is now launching her own fashion label and planning a collection for New York Fashion Week.
She does red carpet pieces for Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Lucy Liu, and as product assistant works on five collections a year for Rubin Singer’s line.
She said: “I always had a big fascination for working in the US and I really wanted to work for Rubin, I loved his work and a friend put us in touch. I arrived in New York with my suitcase and now I’m living the dream! DMU was a really great experience and I’ve kept in touch with tutor Della Swain.”
Contour Fashion course leader Gillian Proctor and Acting Dean of Art, Design and Humanities Michael Marsden hosted the event.
DMU’s visit to New York, which involved more than 1,000 students and staff, is thought to be the single largest overseas trip organised by a UK university.
Posted on Tuesday 24 January 2017