Bath Spa University fashion graduate Chloe Jones took on top fashion students from across the country to walk away with two top prizes worth £21,000 at this year’s national Graduate Fashion Week awards in London.
Chloe won both the coveted Gold Award, given by sponsors George and worth £20,000, for the best student collection of 2012 and the Best Womenswear title, with her monastic collection, which mixes stone-grey chiffon and crystal-embossed sweat-shirting and features ‘halo hoods’.
Her award was presented by top fashion editor Suzy Menkes, style icon Daphne Guinness, and Fiona Lambert, George's brand director, all of whom were on the judging panel. In winning the Gold Award, Chloe joins a prestigious list of previous winners including designers such as Matthew Williamson and Stella McCartney.
A delighted Chloe, who will be showing her collection to the public of Bath this Wednesday, said: “It’s such a privilege to be able to show at Graduate Fashion Week, let alone be nominated for an award. It was such an honour to meet all the judges and have the opportunity to show them my work, so to come away with both the Womenswear and Gold Award is incredible. I’m so excited for what lies ahead, not just for myself but for the course at Bath Spa too."
She was one of 10 national finalists chosen for to show her collection at the gala, which is the climax of Graduate Fashion Week, held at Earl’s Court in London.
Bath Spa University runs a three-year BA (Hons) Fashion Design course and this award reflects the focus on creativity underpinned with the technical skills and craft of fashion, as well as the ambitions of the course to compete on a national and international level.
The course, which has a unique partnership with the Fashion Museum Bath, is in its eighth year, and this is the third year of showcasing at Graduate Fashion Week.
Course Leader of Fashion at Bath Spa University, Louise Pickles, said: “We are delighted for Chloe who has worked hard over the last three years to reach this point. This is a tremendous achievement and reflects the depth of thought that went into the concept for the collection, as well as the high level of workmanship to bring the collection to fruition."
There’s a chance to see Chloe’s winning collection and the work of the other Bath graduates on Wednesday, June 20 at the Forum, Bath in two 30 minute shows held at 3pm and 7pm. Tickets £6, from http://fashionshow.artbathspa.com/ or 01225 876373.
