A Blackburn student’s creative talents have been recognised by industry professionals through a Graduate Fashion Week (GFW) Award.
Fashion promotion and marketing student Grace Shorrock won the GFW Fashion Communications Portfolio Award at the annual event, which brings together emerging student talent from the global fashion world with industry experts at a showcase in London.
The 21-year-old was handed the award for her portfolio of work compiled during her studies at the University of Central Lancashire. This included a campaign celebrating women’s football, for which she won another Graduate Fashion Week award alongside two fellow students, a study on upcoming social trends, the future of retail and other hypothetical campaigns.
To be shortlisted down to 12 individuals and initially recognised alongside over 100 other talented students is an achievement in itself.– Fashion student Grace Shorrock
“I am absolutely over the moon to be awarded the Fashion Communication Portfolio Award at this year’s Graduate Fashion Week,” said Grace. “To be shortlisted down to 12 individuals and initially recognised alongside over 100 other talented students is an achievement in itself.”
The talented final year student demonstrated her research, design, content creation, digital media and styling skills across her collection of projects.
She said: “My portfolio aimed to reflect the in-depth research and creative storytelling that went into each individual piece of work. Creating work for brands such as Lush, Tony’s Chocolonely, Innocent and UNIQLO meant I could showcase a wide range of skills in a creative and eye-catching way. Choosing brands which I am personally inspired by helped me to create work which I loved and wanted to embrace.”
The criteria for the Fashion Portfolio Award required submissions to be a “well-executed, stylish, and professionally presented fashion communications portfolio.”
It was such a valuable experience presenting to an inspiring panel of judges.– Fashion student Grace Shorrock
Grace commented: “It was such a valuable experience presenting to an inspiring panel of judges. Their positive feedback and kind words meant so much to me and to hear that my portfolio was ‘memorable’ was extremely heart-warming and helped me feel confident that my hard work has truly paid off.
“Graduate Fashion Week provides a great opportunity to see what others are creating, gathering inspiration, creating contacts and witnessing the talented future of fashion.”
She added: “I want to thank Graduate Fashion Week and the University of Central Lancashire fashion promotion team for providing these special opportunities for students, I am forever grateful.”