London Fashion Week:Fashion Student shortlisted for 2016 FAD Finals

Issue date: 08 January 2016

Eleana Burrows, a year two Fashion student from UWE Bristol, will showcase her work at a catwalk final at London Fashion Week (19-23 Feb). She's one of 17 finalists from 16 universities across the UK, competing in a competition organised by the fashion charity,Fashion Awareness Direct (FAD).

Student designer, Eleana will present her designs at the exclusive Fashion Scout catwalk show at Covent Garden on 23 February, competing for the title and £1000 prize.

FAD is a creative charity supporting young people to bridge the gap between education and the fashion industry.

This year FAD challenged students to 'slow down' and 'say goodbye to Google' - to discover the extraordinary and the fantastic in the everyday. Over 100 entrants from 40 UK colleges and universities took part, resulting in a shortlist of 17 finalists.

Eleana is the second consecutive, UWE Bristol Fashion student to be shortlisted for this award, joining 2014 finalist, graduate Hattie Buckwell.

She said, “I have been totally inspired by this project due to being able to personalise it entirely by my experiences. The concept behind my project has been sailing and what competing and sailing for pleasure meant to me, being able to put my own stamp on it has been very enjoyable, I never envisaged what the end result would be and I'm excited to produce the final garments. I am so grateful to have this opportunity and to be lucky enough to showcase my work at such a prestigious event, complete shock to be chosen as a finalist, it all feels slightly surreal still.”

Deb Southerland, UWE Bristol's Programme Leader BA Hons Fashion and BA Hons Fashion Communication said, “The Fashion Team at UWE Bristol are delighted that Eleana is one of the 17 finalists in this year's high profile FAD competition. This is a fantastic achievement for Eleana and it reflects her hard work, creative vision and innovative approach to materials and design.

“Fashion at UWE Bristol is a Creative Skillset accredited course and competitions such as FAD are a brilliant way for students to gain live experience and to develop their professional networks. This year Eleana has worked on an industry project, including working with Dorothy Lovell, CSR Coordinator at Mulberry. Industry preparedness underpins the UWE Fashion course ethos and competitions are an essential part of this preparation.

“The Fashion team would like to congratulate Eleana on her brilliant achievement, and to wish her every success for the Fashion Scout catwalk show.”

Now in its 15^th year the FAD Competition continues to challenge fashion students to think outside the commercial box; encouraging them to look to art, culture and wider social trends for inspiration.

“The 17 designers have until the end of January to create their garments for London Fashion Week. Prior to the show their work will be judged by a panel of industry experts, who will select one overall winner and two runners-up. The 2016 jury panel will include Jacquie Annesley, Editor of The Times Style Magazine; Julian Fuller, Head of Design at Debenhams; Jane Kellock, Founder and Creative Director at Unique Style Platform and Professor Clare Johnston, Former Head of Textiles at the RCA.”

Find out more about studying at UWE Bristol, visit the School of Art and Design webpages.