News / 28 Apr 2026
Fashion Design student wins Graduate Fashion Foundation competition
BA (Hons) Fashion Design
Final-year BA (Hons) Fashion Design student Rubie Baldwin has won a competition brief set by the Graduate Fashion Foundation, in partnership with F&F, for Graduate Fashion Week 2026.
The F&F Design Brief Competition asked students to develop a commercially viable collection aligned with F&F’s customer and brand identity. Participants were tasked with translating trend research into a cohesive A/W range, demonstrating strong design, fabric selection, and an understanding of the balance between creativity and retail practicality.
Shortlisted students were recently invited to F&F’s head office in Welwyn Garden City for a day of insight, learning, and industry engagement, after which the judges selected Rubie as the winner. Rubie has been given the exciting opportunity to take up a 12-month paid placement as an Assistant Designer at F&F's head office in Welwyn Garden City.
“I really enjoyed working on the F&F design brief, especially identifying a gap in the brand’s offering and exploring how it could better connect with a specific age group. Winning the competition feels incredibly exciting and has given me a real sense of direction at a time when graduating can feel uncertain. I’m looking forward to starting this journey with F&F and continuing to grow within a creative environment.”
Rubie Baldwin, BA (Hons) Fashion Design student
The design brief was open to students from all Graduate Fashion Foundation member universities, alongside another brief to develop a fashion marketing campaign for F&F. The winning work will be showcased at Graduate Fashion Week 2026, presented by F&F, taking place from 15 to 18 June at Truman Brewery, London.
"We’re so pleased to be able to share the winners of the marketing and design GFF x F&F industry briefs, two exciting talents that we look forward to seeing enter the industry upon graduation. Initiatives like these are what drive future talent to stay engaged in their career dreams, exposure to exciting brands such as F&F, and deliver real results in understanding what the fashion industry requires from fresh young talent.[...]”
Nicola Hitchens, Graduate Fashion Foundation Managing Director