Graduate Fashion Week success for former St Mary’s student

Former St Mary’s School student Katherine-Jayne Watts was the winner of the Graduate Fashion Week 2019, Sportswear and Leisurewear award sponsored by Tessuti.

The inspiration for the collection was gathered from her own heritage, specifically her grandfather’s old boat sails and life jackets which were repurposed to make the jackets. Using this as a focal point of her designs, Katherine intertwined nautical references of maps that were used to navigate the River Blackwater and Colne and the ropes from the sails in the collection.

One theme apparent at this year’s show was sustainably and the need to re-use clothing. This is evident in the graduate collections as many, along with Katherine, channelled this into the creative designs. When asked how she thinks the young generations of today can change the fashion industry in the future, Katherine suggested that students and consumers are more cautious with their buying habits and how brands produce their collections. From the dyeing of the fabrications to waste materials, brands need to make a conscious effort to be more environmentally friendly in order to be successful in the future.

This year’s Graduate Fashion Week was a huge success, not only for the labels, involved but for the vast number of talented students that showcased their creative works.