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UEL fashion stars shine at opening show of Graduate Fashion Week

Tuesday 7 June 2011

Student work

University of East London fashion students had the honour of kicking off this year’s Graduate Fahsion Week, with a show that was as confident as it was original, setting the bar high for those who followed. 

The event, which takes place at Earls Court 2 until Wednesday, celebrates the work of students from around fifty fashion schools from across the country.

The University of East London show celebrated successes both new and old with current students demonstrating genuine talent and flare, such as Eliesha George, who opened the show with her collection Queen D (Dominance) and Charlotte Smith with her collection, Espionage, inspired by wartime fashions.

Le Thuy Le Thi courted media interest with her collection entitled Afternoon Tea, which had been given national daytime television exposure just two days before, after having been selected as one of just six Graduate Fashion Week designs in a competition aired on ITV’s This Morning.

Bunmi Olaye, one of last year’s big success stories, announced the first Bunmi Koko Design and Innovation award for Le Thuy’s collection. While the audience comprised buyers and designers from Polo Ralph Lauren, Jaeger and Wallis along with fashion legend Jeff Banks, one of the original founders of Graduate Fashion Week. 

Selena Bolingbroke, Pro Vice-Chancellor, said: “UEL has produced some brilliantly successful designers in recent years, and it’s clear from the evidence on show today that more of our graduates will soon be joining the likes of Bunmi Olaye and Geannine Pollazzon as stars of the industry.

I’m delighted that our students have had this chance to showcase the ambitious and innovative designs that are the culmination of the hard work they have put in over the last three years. They have shown great flair in bringing together original ideas with a thorough technical understanding to produce beautiful pieces that truly reflect the cosmopolitan flavour of east London.”

A VIP reception was held immediately after the UEL show.

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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