Emerging designers display at London Fashion Week

Emerging designers from the University of East London’s (UEL) fashion degree course have displayed at an official London Fashion Week (LFW) show.

See all of our news articles

Hero Carousel

Emerging designers from the University of East London’s (UEL) fashion degree course have displayed at an official London Fashion Week (LFW) show.

See all of our news articles

Published

10 June 2024

Share

The runway spectacle on June 8 included an appearance by the internationally acclaimed Chinese model and actor Hu Bing, wearing garments by designers James Giddings and Danis Thapa.

Emerging designers showcased their work at LFW, with collections from the UEL fashion students focused on an overarching theme of human-centred design.

With creative communities emerging from a Dystopian Present, the show, in East London, highlighted the intersection of creativity and socio-political commentary through fashion.

The evening of innovative fashion challenged contemporary socio-political narratives through human-centred design, community & connection as part of the LFW schedule.

Other collections included garments exploring the duality of private and public spheres and symbolising the balance between personal nurturing and public identity. Hanna Pachuta’s collection, Private Vs Public, incorporated practical elements for working mothers.

Beatrice Newman, Head of the Fashion Department, commented, 

We are so pleased that the British Fashion Council has recognised the University and included it as part of the official LFW schedule for the third time this year. Being part of one of the world’s leading industry events is testament to the exciting and cutting-edge work being created by our BA Fashion Design students.

This really was an exceptional experience for our students who got to present in front of so many high profile stakeholders including fashion houses, buyers, stylists and press."

Designer Natalia Markouizou Charalampous’ collection ‘A Bumpy One’ explores her journey from Greece to the UK for studies.

She said, “I began my research reflecting on my childhood, moving through my teenage years, to partying every Saturday in London and still feeling like a stranger. I like to express my emotions through draping on the human body, creating prints with a bold colour palette and different media, and using stretchy and stiff fabrics to create both tight and voluminous silhouettes.”

“’ A Bumpy One’ depicts this transformative experience and makes me reminisce about the good and ugly moments of this journey, shaping me into the person and designer I am today,” Natalia added.

Designer Danis Thana commented, “Inspired by my Father’s construction work at Hong Kong's airport, this collection explores semiology, time, and metaphysical symbolism. ‘CONTRUXTION’ reinterprets traditional workwear with functional details and contemporary aesthetics, reflecting DT’s evolving brand. The ‘FMP collection’ continues this, merging historical influences with modern design for a layered understanding of workwear."

Hu Bing commented, “I am really pleased to be walking the runway at the University of East London for the second year running. Supporting emerging designers is really important to me as it is so hard to break through in the industry.

“I wish all the graduating designers the best of luck in their future careers and I will be following their progress."

Designers and Collections:

Aksana Belija - Collection: EXPRESSIONISM RECOLLECTION

  • Theme: Rebellion and Resilience
  • Description: Aksana’s collection merges military aesthetics with abstract expressionism, creating stylish outerwear that challenges traditional functionality. Her designs reflect a rebellion against social and political norms, using military garments to explore personal and collective identities.
  • Instagram: @ak.sana_b_

Divya Nakrani - Collection: Divine Consciousness

  • Theme: Sustainability and Self-Identity
  • Description: Divya’s work celebrates self-identity and sustainability, featuring biodegradable textiles, natural dyes and ancient embroidery techniques. Her collection offers a contemporary twist on bohemian style, promoting eco-friendly fashion as a form of self-expression.
  • Instagram: @artof_diva

Danis Thapa - Collection: CONTRUXTION

  • Theme: Heritage and Modernity
  • Description: Inspired by his father’s construction work, Danis reinterprets traditional workwear with modern aesthetics. His collection reflects the evolving narrative of his brand, merging historical influences with contemporary design elements.
  • Instagram: danis.thapa

Hanna Pachuta - Collection: Private Vs Public

  • Theme: Personal and Political Interplay
  • Description: Hanna’s designs explore the duality of private and public spheres, incorporating practical elements for working mothers. Her garments symbolise the balance between personal nurturing and public identity.
  • Instagram: @hanna.pachuta

Mikaela Eshe - Collection: Homage

  • Theme: Cultural Heritage and Innovation
  • Description: Mikaela’s collection is a tribute to Bermudian culture, integrating traditional and contemporary styles. Inspired by the movement of Gombey dancers and engineering elements, her work captures the vibrant spirit of her heritage.
  • Instagram: MiddleOfNowhereBDA

Samantha Lange - Collection: Muñekita

  • Theme: Inclusivity and Identity
  • Description: Samantha’s collection documents her experiences as a young trans-Latina woman. Her designs highlight themes of hyper-femininity and sisterhood, using upcycled fashion and Venezuelan cultural references. Instagram
  • Instagram: sam.anthalange

Nneoma Cirillo - Collection: Compassion06

  • Theme: Environmental and Social Awareness
  • Description: Nneoma’s designs draw attention to the environmental and economic hardships in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. Her collection uses oil-spill-inspired prints to reflect the ongoing struggles of the local community.
  • Instagram: compassionconcepts

Natalia Markouizou Charalampous - Collection: A Bumpy One

  • Theme: Personal Growth and Transformation
  • Description: Natalia’s collection portrays her journey from Greece to the UK, expressing her experiences through bold prints and contrasting fabrics. Her work reflects the transformative impact of this journey on her personal and professional identity.
  • Instagram: nataliaa.mrk

James Giddings - Collection: Artefacts of Adolescence

  • Theme: Nostalgia and Sustainability
  • Description: James explores nostalgic childhood memories using upcycled textiles and eco-friendly materials. His collection balances the tension between nurture and rebellion, emphasising sustainable practices.
  • Instagram: @Jamesgiddingsdesign

BA Fashion Design at UEL offers emerging fashion designers the opportunity to study both traditional and innovative practices in fashion design, development, pattern cutting and digital design. As part of the course, students explore how computer-aided design and emerging digital technologies are helping to transform the fashion creation process.

Fashion at UEL is the defining centre of an institution-wide interdisciplinary creative ecosystem, including ongoing collaborations across year levels with other courses including Film, Acting, Dance, Games, Marketing, Journalism, Sport, Photography and Interior Design.

  • Fashion

Share