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UEL fashion student reaches final of London Fashion Week competition

Thursday 17 February 2011

University of East London fashion student, Lucy Johnson, has beaten hundreds of applicants from across the UK for a chance to show her designs at London Fashion Week, as a finalist in the Fashion Awareness Direct competition.

The competition, which features just fifteen fashion students' work from the thousands studying the subject across the UK, has been described by Vogue as 'an undeniable springboard into the fashion industry'.

The final will take place at 7.30pm next Tuesday evening, 22 February, as part of the Vauxhall Fashion Scout series of events, held at the Freemasons Hall in Convent Garden, London.

Lucy will be in good company, too. The judging panel will not only include esteemed movers and shakers from the world of fashion such as Kate Carter, life and style editor for the Guardian, but also includes former UEL student, Tracey Bartlett, now a senior designer at iconic online fashion portal ASOS.

Lucy, who will get to exhibit just two pieces in the final catwalk show, is one of only two menswear designers to have made it this far.

She said: "This is the competition's tenth year and there has never been a menswear winner so far, so this could be the year, but I'm trying to keep cool. I've never done anything like this before so I'm very excited. I keep looking at the tickets and thinking 'is this really happening?"

Lucy has had an internship with international label, Qasimi, for the past two years and hopes to gain another internship when she graduates. Her designs were inspired by this year's theme, Escape. She said: "I take my inspiration from anything that comes from places I want to go."

The winner of the competition will receive £2000 and a top industry placement, while two runners up each will receive £1000 and a work placement. Fashion student Vera Thordardottir's silicone and crystal designs were worn by Lady Gaga after she was awarded the runner-up's position last year.

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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