S-Club Heaven for Graduate Fashion Week hopeful

Pop-star Rachel Stevens has been pictured in a national newspaper wearing an outfit designed by a University for the Creative Arts (UCA) student.

 

Emma Box, who studies BA (Hons) Fashion Design at UCA Rochester, created the jacket and dress for her Graduate Fashion Week collection which will go on show at London’s Earls Court 2 on Monday 7 June 2010.

 

Her design was featured in the Sunday Mirror’s Celebs on Sunday magazine for an article about the biggest week for student fashion, which UCA won overall last year.

 

Emma said: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw the picture. I would never have thought while making my outfit that it would be worn by Rachel Stevens and then featured in a national newspaper.

 

“I had no idea it was going to be in there, so it was a great surprise to receive a message from an old friend saying she had just seen my work in the Sunday Mirror.”

 

UCA Rochester is no stranger to publicity when it comes to Graduate Fashion Week (GFW).

 

Last year, BA (Hons) Fashion Design student, Myrto Stamou, won the top prize worth £20,000. Two dresses from her Gold Award-winning collection will go on sale at River Island stores nationwide in June 2010.

Emma said: “I think Myrto’s win puts a bit of extra pressure on us students to try to defend her crown, but it’s a good kind of pressure.

 

“The win has really given the university a boost and it makes us all extra proud to be from UCA and see it getting the recognition that it deserves.”

 

Emma is one of 18 students from UCA Rochester who have been selected to show their work at GFW this year. UCA Epsom also has the same number of entrants – their catwalk show will take place on Sunday 6 June.

 

“There are a huge amount of talented students showing at GFW, I am just happy to be given the opportunity to take part,” explained Emma.

 

“Everyone who is showing at GFW has worked really hard – I made sure I was in the studio before 8.30am and would stay until I got kicked out at 8.30pm.

 

“The Fashion Design course at UCA is really very good. The emphasis on production is just as high as design which results with very strong collections. Tutor support is always available and you really feel like they care and have your best interests at heart with a friendly and welcoming attitude.”

The University for the Creative Arts has campuses in Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester and is one of Europe’s largest specialist Universities of art, design, architecture, media and communication. With around 7,000 students studying on a wide range of well-established courses, potential graphic designers’ work alongside budding journalists and pioneering fashion designers in a highly creative environment.