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. ·
- Krystal– Kent College,
Pembury
- Seren – Wellington College
- Mackenzie – Eastbourne
College
- Katie – St Albans High
School for Girls
- Ella – Belfairs Academy
- Mairu – Southwell Minster
School
- Cerys – Ysgol Gyfun,
Aberaeron
- Daisy – Claremont Fan
Court School
- Maddie – St Catherines
School
- Nell – St Clement Danes
School
Gallery
1. Ottilie
2. Asma
3. Alice
4. Emilia
5. Anna
6. Zoe
7. Miles
8. Georgia
9. Lydia