Layering the Meanings of Confidence

University of Westminster's 2011 Fashion Graduates

Kate Wallis | Photos courtesy of Catwalking.com / University of Westminster

Molly McCutcheon | Photos courtesy of Catwalking.com / University of Westminster

By João Paulo NUNES

June 13, 2011 - [London] - When it comes to revealing budding fashion talent, June is undoubtedly the kindest month.

In many Universities across the world, numerous graduates strive to finish collections and look books, and anxiously wait while their aptitudes are judged by academic examiners and professional designers or examined on runways by journalists and buyers.

If you follow World Man About Town, you must have noticed that we try hard to be unfalteringly inquisitive about fashion in all its guises. As such, when we received a kind invitation to the runway show for the 2011 graduates of the fashion course at the University of Westminster, we were honoured and delighted to accept. And so, on a windy and rainy London afternoon, we made our way to the cavernous and impressive Ambika P3 space (in the Marylebone campus of the University of Westminster) eager to find out more, alongside many other fashion journalists, buyers and designers representing brands such as Max Mara, Tom Ford, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, and Selfridges.

Normally excluded from the list of 'top fashion schools' (generated by questionable criteria and information sources), the Fashion Design course at the University of Westminster has produced individual and creative designers capable of working within all levels of the fashion industry. Its alumni list includes designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Christopher Bailey, Michael Herz, Stuart Vevers, and Markus Lupfer.

The location of the University in central London allows for students to work during London Fashion Week with major designers. Over the years, students have honed their skills during fashion week for designers and brands such as Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh, Giles, Jonathan Saunders, Burberry, Christopher Kane, Mulberry, Todd Lynn, and Peter Jensen. In addition, many of this year's graduates have already had enviable work experience in the form of international internships with companies such as Christian Dior and Chanel in Paris and Marc Jacobs and American Vogue in New York...read the full article