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UEL fashion star Katie awarded major scholarship for Vivienne Westwood internship

Wednesday 26 March 2008

A University of East London (UEL) Fashion Design graduate has been awarded a prestigious Queen Elizabeth (QEST) scholarship worth over £9,000, footing the bill for an exciting internship at Vivienne Westwood’s shoe design department.

Katie Whiting (22), of Greenwich, graduated from UEL with a first-class BA (Hons) degree in Fashion Design in June 2007. Winning the QEST Scholarship means she can now take up an unpaid internship at Vivienne Westwood while completing a diploma in footwear.

Katie said: “I’m so excited about this opportunity to further my knowledge and experience, especially at my favourite label – it’s a definite chance in a lifetime! Studying at UEL gave me the tools to face the fashion world with confidence and vigour, and it's great to see my hard work pay off.

“Since graduating, I've become increasingly interested in footwear; shoes can be magical and have the ability to dictate the mood of the wearer. I want to make footwear that embodies confidence, sophistication, luxury and concept.”

While studying at UEL, Katie enjoyed work experience with Julien MacDonald, Basso and Brooke and Johnny Rocket. She has worked on garments worn by Paris Hilton and Dame Shirley Bassey, and was among the finalists for ‘Young Designer of the Year’ at the Clothes Show Live in December 2007.

Katie’s debut collection, sponsored by Swarovski and premiered at last year’s Graduate Fashion Week, resulted in press coverage and numerous commissions. She has recently launched her own fashion label Katie Rose.

UEL has excellent links in the fashion industry and is renowned as a leading university for Fashion and Textiles. For further details, visit www.uel.ac.uk/ava or call Nadia Shah on 020 8223 2517.

For details and pictures contact Daniel Cherry: 020 8223 2194

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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