OUTFITS designed by a student from Warrington are set to walk the catwalk at London Fashion Week.
Fromer Priestley College student Eleanor Rickers, 22, from Penketh, who is now at Manchester Metropolitan University, is among 17 finalists in the Fashion Awareness Direct (FAD) competition after her portfolio and designs impressed judges.
The brief was simply ‘A Sense of Place’ and contestants were encouraged to ‘slow down’ and connect with their surroundings by paying attention to sights, sounds, smells, textures and emotions that usually go unnoticed.
Eleanor whose menswear designs were inspired by ‘fishing in the city, said: “I am intrigued by modern buildings – how fast they appear, how the world is changing and how the natural landscape is slowly disappearing. My fascination of the modern landscape lead to my ‘sense of place’ being made up of a contrast of a fast paced, futuristic city, built around a traditional fishing port.”
The Hollings BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Technology student said: “It’s such a privilege to have been chosen as a FAD finalist. It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase my work to a wider audience and to meet interesting people who have different approaches to fashion. Plus, I always love being able to see my designs come to life.”
John Earnshaw, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Apparel at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “Eleanor is extremely hard working and an inspiration to our students. She always produces highly creative and individual work but also has a solid technical understanding. We are thrilled that Eleanor was selected as a FAD finalist – she has a promising future as a designer.”
The FAD competition was described by Vogue as an “undeniable springboard” to a career in the industry with past FAD finalists successfully going on to work for companies such as Vivienne Westwood, Burberry and Jean Paul Gaultier.
On her plans for the future, Eleanor said: “Once I graduate, I plan to work as a Menswear Designer to gain more experience within the fashion industry – with the hope of setting up my own brand in the future!”
Eleanor will be showcasing two menswear outfits at the FAD competition catwalk at Fashion Scout on t February 22 at London Fashion Week.
