Young Designers Start Fashion Renaissance Wed, 26 May 2010 A group of first year fashion students from Tameside College have been taking part in ‘Fashion Awareness Direct’ (FAD) as part of an Aimhigher initiative during the past few months. FAD is a creative charity supporting young people to bridge the gap between education and the fashion industry. The first stage of the competition was held in London where the students visited the Victoria & Albert Museum to explore new cultures and areas of research, and to promote original design and individual expression. The students also carried out work at Salford University and took part in an industry talk with Henri Lloyd. The research they produced was then used to inspire their designs for garments. Students were asked to complete mood boards, design sheets, a garment and were interviewed by the Aimhigher coordinators as part of the demanding heats in the competition. The competition is now in the final stage where there are only 25 students left, including the very talented Adam Preece from Tameside College. Adam has been awarded a summer school placement at the University of East London along with the other finalists. His final garment will be made and modelled at London Fashion Week in September and the finalists will be selected at the show. Other competitors from Tameside College included Charlotte Leahy, Shamsheda Khanom and Dayo Ajilogba who competed right up until the semi finals but unfortunately didn’t make it through to the last round. Past FAD finalists have received jobs working for large companies including Coast, All Saints and Harrods, as well as high profile designers Vivienne Westwood, Hussein Chalayan and Jean Paul Gaultier. Course tutor, Jacqueline Roberts said, “It has been a great opportunity for all students involved in the competition and for Adam to reach the final has been a great boost for him. He is now beginning to see what it will be like to study at HE Level and the possibility of working for well known design companies is a reality. He has worked well to progress from Level 1 to Level 3 and all the staff and students wish him well for the final."
