Bath Spa University student wins prestigious fashion competition

Bath Spa fashion student, Stephanie Kitchen, has won the 2013 Fashion Awareness Direct (FAD) competition.

Stephanie Kitchen, a BA (Hons) Fashion Design student, was announced the overall winner of a national design competition at a catwalk event in London on Tuesday 19 February. Fifteen finalists were selected from over 100 entries submitted to the FAD competition, to design optimistic solutions for the next decade.

The catwalk final took place during London Fashion Week as part of the Vauxhall Fashion Scout showcase where aspiring young designers compete for vital funding and top industry placements.

Stephanie’s work was judged alongside that of other contestants by a top industry panel including iconic fashion journalist and talent spotter Hilary Alexander.

Stephanie not only won the final of this prestigious competition, but also had her work personally selected by Hilary Alexander to be showcased on the catwalk at the London Fashion Weekend, which is open to the public and takes place at Somerset House this weekend to round off London Fashion Week. More information is available here

Commenting on the high standard of designs, Hilary Alexander said: “Overall, the standard of this year's FAD entries was extremely high. The three winners stood out immediately and the decision of the judging panel was unanimous.

With reference to Stephanie, she added: “The winning entry was outstanding, in concept, inspiration, execution and creativity - with an extremely high degree of sustainability, wearability and commercial appeal, as well.

“It was eye-catching, functional, futuristic, fun and accompanied with fabulous accessories which looked to the future in an original eco-manner.”

Commenting on winning the final, Stephanie said: “It was so amazing to have the opportunity to see my designs on the catwalk and I was so flattered and shocked to have been announced the winner of the FAD competition.”

Louise Pickles, Course Leader and Coordinator of Fashion at Bath Spa, added: “It is fantastic that Stephanie has won this prestigious national design competition. The level of thought and attention to detail that went into the development of this mini collection was astounding.

“This is the fourth year that we have had finalists in the FAD competition, and we are thrilled for Stephanie and the tremendous opportunities that this will open up for her.”

This is the twelfth year that creative charity FAD has run the competition with the aim of challenging fashion students to think outside the commercial box, encouraging them to look to art, culture and wider social trends in their research and design work.