Creating The Fashion Icons Of The Future : The New Generation Arts

18th June 2008, Millennium Point, Birmingham

Birmingham City University’s Graduate Fashion Show is once again a highlight of this year’s innovative New Generation Arts Festival. In its third year, the festival showcases the brightest emerging fashion talent today, and is championed by industry heavyweights including designer Betty Jackson, fashion director Lee Lapthorne and supermodel Erin O’Connor – who recently commissioned a jacket from a Birmingham City University graduate. Taking place on 18th June, twenty-two of the hottest new designers will be showcasing their debut collections on the catwalk, catapulting them into the public eye and allowing all to view their directional and contemporary creations.

With current students gaining valuable industry experience in placements at Stella McCartney, Giles, Erdem and Vivienne Westwood, it’s no wonder Birmingham City University’s finest fashion protégées have also gained a slot at Graduate Fashion Week, a mere 6 days ahead of their major show at the New Generation Arts Festival! Last years graduates have gone on to work within the industry with jobs at Steel and Jelly, eco-friendly label Komodo and Ralph Lauren.

Lee Lapthorne of OnOff fame is once again offering his inimitable services to the show this year. Branded “one of the country’s top 50 design talents” by Design Week, Lapthorne’s past clients include top design houses Karen Walker, Boxfresh and Gucci, and he has worked on events such as the Clothes Show Live, Graduate Fashion Week and the Selfridges Attitude Show.

Birmingham City University is a hotbed of creative talent - this year proving no different! The Fashion Show forms a part of the New Generation Arts Festival, a 16 day festival which celebrates youth, diversity and the rise of digital culture. Already renowned as the vanguard of creative content, the NGA festival notoriously championing the independent cause of showcasing the brightest talent, from graduates to emerging international stars. Previous celebrity supporters include social commentator Germaine Greer, comedian Frank Skinner, artist Anthony Gormley and author Philip Pullman.

Taking place on the 18th June, the New Generation Arts Festival fashion show is an event no-one can afford to miss!