Hawes & Curtis Support Local Design Talent
Six third year fashion students from Nottingham Trent University have been shortlisted as finalists in a design competition set by formal shirt brand Hawes & Curtis. Given the opportunity to design a men’s or ladies shirt that would sit alongside the Hawes & Curtis premium fashion range, their samples will be displayed in The Exchange Hawes & Curtis store window from Thursday 1st March, giving customers the chance to help vote for the winner through secret in store ballot cards!
“I was so delighted to win the competition”, enthused last year’s winner, Annabel Leech (pictured). “It means so much to me that my work was recognised by industry professionals and went on to be sold as part of the Hawes & Curtis Spring range. To be able to put in my portfolio the design of a shirt that has been produced and sold in a high street retailer is invaluable.”
Annabel’s winning creation was a classic Audrey Hepburn inspired designed shirt with a string of pearls round the neck, which was translated in to a beautiful white pearl print on black ground in a fitted stretch ladies shirt. 100 shirts from the winning design were then launched as part of Hawes & Curtis’ Spring 2011 collection.
The prize also included the opportunity for Annabel to follow the design and manufacturing process of her shirt in order to make sure she was happy with the finished result, and to understand how designs are processed into production.
The final stage of the prize allowed Annabel to take up a work placement in Hawes & Curtis London’s design studio, where she worked with the designers for Hawes & Curtis, Ghost, and high street customers such as Marks and Spencer and Per Una – all part of the group.
“We’re keen to support up and coming talent and to give fashion students a commercial edge in a very competitive industry”, explains Hawes & Curtis Area Manager and judge, Sarah Meese. “The standard this year has been extremely high and it’s going to be difficult choosing an overall winner. I would encourage local shoppers to come down to the store and check out their amazing designs and to vote!”
The public can view and judge this year’s final designs from 1st March at the Hawes & Curtis store in The Exchange, Nottingham.
Hawes and Curtis
9 The Exchange, Nottingham, NG1 2DD
T: 0115 985 9326
www.hawesandcurtis.com
