Lithuanian student in London Fashion Week final
February 22, 2010. A fashion student from Lithuania has beaten hopefuls from 34 universities/colleges nationwide to win a coveted place in the 2010 F.A.D. Competition final, set to take place at London Fashion Week on Monday 22nd February. Selected from over 100 entries Rasa Abramavičiūtė is currently studying fashion at Middlesex University in North London. She is one of fourteen finalists who will see their designs showcased at Vauxhall Fashion Scout this month, as part of the off-schedule catwalk event. The students will present a collection inspired by this year’s emotive brief – ‘Traces’.
To mark the turning of a new decade, FAD asked students to look back and explore the concept of memory to create a fashion legacy for future generations. Each finalist will have two outfits in the final - one inspired by personal memory, and the other inspired by the narrative of collective memories and objects.The brief has led many finalists to look to their own childhood for inspiration.
Rasa’s entry brings together memories of her childhood in Lithuania. “The inspiration for my designs came from my memories of Lithuania – the creases in family photographs; the hand made clothing of my childhood; a pair of gloves my mum attached together with a piece of string and the folk music. Also the1989 political demonstration where 2 million people joined hands to form a human chain spanning 600km across three Baltic states.” - Rasa Abramaviciute, Middlesex University
The jury panel who will select the winners this year includes Linda Grant, Author of The Thoughtful Dresser; Sonnet Stanfill, Curator of 20th-Century and Contemporary Fashion, V&A; Elizabeth Mcluskie, Fashion Buyer at Harrods; John Wolford, Director of Vauxhall Fashion Scout; David Koma, Designer and 2005 F.A.D. Finalist; Ana Belen Meroño, 2009 F.A.D. Competition Winner. The winners of the F.A.D. Competition will be announced on the evening of the event with the first prize being £2,000 and a top industry placement. Two runners up will also receive £1,000 and a work placement.
F.A.D. (Fashion Awareness Direct) is a creative charity supporting young people to bridge the gap between education and industry. Now in its 9th year, the F.A.D. Competition has become an “undeniable springboard” (Vogue.com) for young designers. Open to undergraduates studying fashion in the UK, the competition’s aim is to highlight and support creative young people at the earliest stage in their careers. Since 2008 F.A.D. has worked in collaboration with Vauxhall Fashion Scout, providing a unique platform for fashion students and their universities to showcase at London Fashion Week.
Past F.A.D. finalists have successfully gone on to work for companies such as Vivienne Westwood, Hussein Chalayan, Burberry, Aquascutum, Jean Paul Gaultier, Coast and All Saints. Others have continued to work with F.A.D. through our Volunteering & Mentoring scheme, where their practical skills and experience have helped younger students to succeed. www.fad.org.uk
Vauxhall Fashion Scout every season identifies the most promising new designers and showcases them to an international audience of media and buyers - giving the next generation of talent the opportunity to show during London Fashion Week. Described as a ‘talent goldmine’ by vogue.com, Vauxhall Fashion Scout has showcased over 130 emerging designers over the past seven seasons; including Peter Pilotto, Felder Felder, Spijkers en Spijkers, William Tempest, David Koma, Avsh Alom Gur, Jens Laugesen & Cooperative Designs.www.vauxhallfashionscout.com
For further press enquiries and hi-res images, please contact:
Fran Hunt | E: fran@fad.org.uk | T: 020 7490 3946
