Fashion design student shortlisted for Zalando x GFF masterclass

Second year BA (Hons) Fashion Design student Samantha Bronock has been shortlisted for the Zalando x Graduate Fashion Foundation Circularity Masterclass.

The brief was open to 30 Graduate Fashion Foundation (GFF) member universities in the UK, and 10 across Europe, with the aim of inspiring the next generation of designers to create products and concepts that fit into a circular economy.

The competition brief asked students to design three outfits or accessories that demonstrated circularity principles and considerations, including end-of-life processes, raw materials, dyes, and finishings.

Samantha’s collection of bags is inspired by a modern take on 18th century style. Inspired by the work of Olivier Lannaud, who upcycles technology to make historical designs into contemporary art. The designs use scrap electrical cable, which often ends up in landfill.

The collection of handbags is modular, allowing customers to purchase a single bag base with multiple ‘outer bag’ designs. The idea behind this initiative is that customers do not need to purchase multiple new bags; they can just change the outer design. This outer sleeve requires fewer materials and less energy to create and transport than buying a new bag.

Samantha will present their submission to an industry judging panel during Graduate Fashion Week, where one overall winner will be selected. The overall winner will receive one-to-one mentorship from a circular fashion designer in their city.