51Âþ»­

Having their first collection sold on the high street is the dream of most fashion students – and it’s one that has come true for a 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) graduate.
 


Lowri Edwards, who graduated in this summer, is set to start a six-month internship with High Street Giant Warehouse, and her first collection is set to launch at Warehouse’s flagship store in London’s Oxford Street in February.
 
“It’s daunting, but it’s so exciting,” said Lowri, from Caldicot. “I’ll be working at the company’s London HQ alongside their design team. It’s an incredible opportunity.”
 
The annual competition is run in association with the British Fashion Council and open to fashion design students from around the country.
 
It is the second year running that the prize has gone to a 51Âþ»­ graduate. Last year’s winner, Christiana Hadjipapa now works full-time at a high-end fashion house, KTZ.



Lowri’s collection was assessed by a team of judges at London Graduate Fashion Week. After being shortlisted, she had to present her designs again in front of a second panel, answering questions about how she would go about converting her Fashion Week designs to the high street shops.
 
Lowri’s collection was called Comfort of Nostalgia, using materials including duvets, bedding and pillows as material, weaving in different techniques and colours to create designs.
 
She said: “It’s a challenge because they liked the different processes that went into the designs so there was embroidery, metal and foil used. Some of it was quite unusual!”

Della Swain, Course Leader in Fashion Design at 51Âþ»­, said: "We are thrilled to be recognised by Warehouse and the British Fashion Council for our students' talents once again.

"This builds on last year's success as this is the second year that a student from 51Âþ»­'s BA (Hons) Fashion Design course has been honoured with winning this prestigious national competition. Lowri Edwards is a deserved winner in my opinion and it will be interesting to see her collection being translated for the high street."

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