Since 2011, Hawes & Curtis has been running the annual Student Design Competition, where fashion students are asked to submit their shirt designs demonstrating an in-depth awareness of our brand. Winners are offered the opportunity to complete a work placement at our Head Office in London and their shirts are put into production. We caught up with this year’s worthy winners. Congratulations to Louise Duncum, Dahye Jee and Yue Liu from Nottingham Trent University.

Louise Duncum:

Q. Why did you decide to become a designer?

A. I have always been a very creative person. I love wearing clothes that make me feel great and felt that I could create designs for others too. Having followed the normal route through education it was suggested to me that I change direction and start a fashion-related course instead. It was at this point that I was able to really push my ideas and start the long and exciting road to become a designer.

Q. What was the inspiration behind the collection you submitted?

A. We were told that Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor, was a key influence to the Hawes & Curtis brand, so I thought a great starting point would be to look into his life and, consequently, found out more about his wife, Wallis Simpson. Wallis Simpson was a renowned style icon in the 1930s and her wardrobe inspired my designs. I came across a quote from her during my research stating that she always tried to “dress better than anyone else”. I kept this as an inspiration throughout my portfolio, as I felt it related perfectly to the Hawes & Curtis customer. This era led me to look into Art Deco, and this inspired several of my prints and design details. I also looked into future trend predictions and combined certain elements from these in order to make the collection contemporary.

Q. Who is your role model in the fashion industry and why?

A. When I first started taking the idea of becoming a fashion designer to the next level, I quickly became inspired by the work of Mary Katrantzou. I loved the way she combined her flamboyant prints with modern silhouettes and cuts which stood out from the rest of the catwalk designers. To this day I still admire her work and hope that my career progression will replicate hers.

Q. What are your aspirations as a fashion designer?

A. I am keen to design for high-street brands because I have done several internships for different brands throughout my time at University and really enjoyed them. At some stage I would also like to start my own label, with a keen emphasis on technical fabrics combined with prints and edgy, but sophisticated, sporty silhouettes and cuts. None of my work would harm animals and I would love to be able to change the way certain brands within the fashion industry use animals for their creations, as I feel it is completely unnecessary.

 

Dahye Jee: 

Q. Why did you decide to become a designer?

A. When I was younger, I used to style my family and friends. Fashion magazines and fashion shoots have always inspired me to think of new, creative ideas. I wasn’t as passionate about any other area of work, so I decided to study fashion design.

Q. What was the inspiration behind the collection you submitted?

A. I was inspired by 1950s fashion. The silhouettes were very feminine, with a neat, fitted waist and voluminous skirt. My concept came from this era, although I took a more modern approach and created a more wearable silhouette. I chose a simple flower motif for my shirt print, for a feminine feel and gave it a chic, directional look for office city women.

Q. Who is your role model in the fashion industry and why?

A. Thom Browne is a tailor who always adds innovative and original ideas into his designs. I think he is amazing, as in such a limited area of tailoring, he keeps coming up with lots of new ideas and creative designs every season.

Q. What are your aspirations as a fashion designer?

A. I don’t want to use the word ‘cannot’, when I design something. Too many brands in the fashion industry offer the same ‘look’ to their customers. I want to be a designer who is aware of trends but always offers something new. I would like my customer to feel special by wearing a unique design.

 

Yue Liu:

Q. Why did you decide to become a designer?

A. I used to do some graphic and amateur stage garment design when I was a high school student. I enjoyed it so much that it inspired me to study fashion design and become a designer.

Q. What was the inspiration behind the collection you submitted?

A. I am very interested in the natural world and animals. I researched freshwater fish and I found that the most beautiful and elegant fish was the Rumble fish. So my inspiration for the print of my shirtdress came from the shape and colours of the Rumble fish tail.

Q. Who is your role model in the fashion industry and why?

A. Antonio Marras, I really love the patterns and the prints he uses in his work.

Q. What are your aspirations as a fashion designer?

A. I want to develop my own style and keep my own identity as a designer.