South Finals 2020

Due to the pandemic, we ran the Young Fashion Designer competition online in 2020.

Judge

MARINA SOUTH – CREATIVE DIRECTOR

FOUNDER OF THEN & NOW STUDIO AND WE ARE FORMLESS

Marina South was born in Spain and raised in rural west Wales. After studying fashion and textiles at Pembrokeshire college she moved to London at 18 years old to study Fashion at Kingston University, where she graduated with a First-Class degree in 2006. Her first job was assisting Bella Freud before designing with leading industry figures like Susanne Deeken and Hector Castro. Having worked across design, development and styling Marina at mid-end and luxury brands Marina became Head of Design at London womenswear label Baukjen in 2014. During this time Marina managed all aspects of creating the brands collections as well as working with Art Directors and Marketing teams to communicate the collections to customers. Within this role she began researching into low impact solutions to ensure each range was ethical and eco conscious. Visiting her factories regularly, mainly in Portugal, Marina built up strong relationships with everyone in the supply chain. In 2017 Marina decided she wanted to take her passion and knowledge in conscious design and share it with as many brands as possible. She began a creative consultancy platform at the end of 2017 which offers guidance for individuals and brands who actively want to make a positive change within their business. She offers 360 consultancy covering all aspects of creative businesses, from design, production through to art directing, styling and digital platforms, understanding the importance of communication and transparency to a brands community. Her clients include; Mother of Pearl, Werdelin and Suel as well as working with start-up brands to help bring their vision to life. Within this platform Marina has launched online workshops that offer a holistic approach to creativity. These programmes are immersive experiences curated to re-connect with nature and awaken the creative senses. Marina believes that if we can all individually form a bond with mother earth we will inevitably want to protect her, she believes that sustainability is about much more than organic materials. Believing we should be focusing less on finding solutions that enable us to carry on living the same way, that we ultimately need to change the way we live and in turn create. For her less is always more. Alongside this Marina is currently writing her first book, The Art in Creative Process, her aim is to engage people back to the research and development of creative output instead of rushing to the end product. She believes when you engage in design this way, care goes into it and by default you create from a place that holds value and remains relevant and integrity. She currently runs her consultancy platform from her East London home studio whilst still ensuring she visits her supply chains regularly. This year Marina also co-created creative community platform We Are Formless, a space to curate social and environmental campaigns that are progressive and inclusive. We Are Formless is centred in philanthropic action, offering wellness events, mentoring sessions and products that educate, inspire and give back to the global community.

Finalists

Year 7 to Year 9

1st Place: Asma – Wycombe High School

A beautiful presentation, clear and concise. A refined and edited body of research with comprehensive analysis of the 20's and Chanel. Design drawings are skilled and detailed with informative descriptions.

2nd Place: Ottilie – Kent College, Pembury

A socially, environmentally and politically aware project. Acknowledging the global communities feelings through creative diversity. A study of the times created with sensitivity and passion.

3rd Place: Alice Badden – St Albans High School for Girls

Very beautiful drawing skills with a comprehensive study in design

Highly commended:

Kaavya - Tonbridge Grammar School
Millie - Kent College, Pembury
Becky - Wycombe High School
Gabriella - Tonbridge Grammar School
Kiran - Wycombe High School
Emilia - Tonbridge Grammar School
Ruby-Mae - Ferndale Community School RCT South Wales
Yen - Stockport Academy
Gabriella - Davison High School
Olivia - Presdales School

GCSE

1st Place: Zoe – Dame Alice Owens School

Incredible presentation with such in-depth and sophisticated research sources. Gender exploration is so important in creative expression. The colour palette is harmonious and timeless. Designs are so advanced and technically industry ready.

2nd Place: Emilia – Cranbrook, Kent

Advanced layout and design development. Engaging and exciting. A beautiful modern colour palette with strong textural and print exploration. Drawings and designs are unique and full of personality. Ensuring this level of identity is so important within the industry.

3rd Place: Anna – Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth

A strong and bold aesthetic. A clear design direction. Designs are beautifully conveyed and feel very in line with industry standards. Love the notations and colour explorations, it feels considered and inviting.

Highly Commended:·

Aimee– Kent College, Pembury·
Connie – Wimbledon High School
Catherine – Broughton High School
Hannah – Tonbridge Grammar School
Blessing – St Angela’s Ursuline School
Charlotte – Gumley House School
Ellie – Wimbledon High School
Libby – Dartford Grammar School for Girls
Tom – Gordano School, Bristol
Erin – Shire Oak Academy

A Level

1st Place: Miles – Dame Alice Owen’s School

An incredible awareness of subculture and street led art movements. This research is diverse but cohesive and so relevant. The presentation is slick, edited and cool. It feels advanced and industry ready. A socially aware project drawing upon past underground movements to create a modern capsule range. The designs are edited with a nod to their source of inspiration and would be considered relevant for so many industry brands.

2nd Place: Georgia - Wellington College

A beautiful full body of research. A very sophisticated eye, drawing upon timeless design and silhouettes for inspiration. The approach to design is unique and full of texture. The balance of art and fashion makes this project timeless and cool.

3rd Place: Lydia – St Clement Danes School

A considered and comprehensive presentation. An opulent and historic body of research with attention to detail and print. Designs are drawn with such skill and passion.

Highly Commended:

Emma– Watford Grammar School for Girls

Special mention: Rich and diverse with intricate exploration of textural layering and surface techniques. The colour palette is harmonious and sophisticated with attention to detail. ·