TGI Independent Fashion Friday! This weeks Nolcha Fashion Week: New York team visited Graduate Fashion Week: London to checkout the fresh new talent and latest designs. From the hundreds of students this weeks four designers stood out particularly among all the rest. Here’s our heads up to look our for these independent fashion designers on a runway near you.

Brand: Hannah Munro
University: Colchester School of Art
Website: www.hannah-munro.tumblr.com/
About: Hannah Munro studied Fashion/Textiles/Accessories at Colchester School or Art. Her Autumn/Winter 2014 collection of womenswear and handbags is based upon F.Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby”, taking inspiration from the era of the 1920’s, in particular the fashion and high society lifestyle. The collection adopts the character of Daisy Buchanan as a muse, using the outfits to represent key events in the novel. Inspiration for garment shapes has also come from more contemporary sources such as Ralph Lauren’s Spring/summer 2012 collection and trends for Autumn/Winter 2014. The collection is made up of four outfits consisting of dresses, capes, handbags and accessories; each one reflecting Daisy Buchanan’s character. The bold colours of black, red, cream and silver reflect the themes of death, love, romance, deceit, wealth and glamour seen throughout the novel. Fabrics in the collection include silk, leather and wool, mixed with feathers and embellishment to create a modern take on 1920’s glamour.
Brand: Charlotte Stacey Designs
University: Middlesex University
Website: www.charlottestaceydesigns.bigcartel.com/
About: Bespoke, timeless and quality clothes are Charlotte Stacey’s trademark. “Femininity is timeless within women”. This is reflected within the clothing range and collections are created to fit around the female body comfortably whilst still enhancing a strong silhouette.
Brand: Hana Joste
University: Arts University Bournemouth
About: Originally from Brighton, Hana Joste has recently graduated from The Arts University Bournemouth where she studied for a degree in BA (Hons) Fashion Studies. After deciding in her final year to pursue her love for accessories, which meant learning new processes including machinery and materials.
The spring/summer 2013 collection, produced in just 10 weeks, was a learning curve for Hana. It gave her the opportunity to learn how to use the leather machines, the workshop and the digital printer, which produced a range of three women’s bags for all different occasions. Her Final Major project, inspired by vintage sports, is a menswear collection.
Brand: Josie Owusu-Amankrah
University: University of the Creative Arts
About: Architecture, nature and abstract painting inspired the concept for the brands catwalk collection Luxe Swimwear à Monaco. Most of Josie’s research came from visiting London Zoo, The Science Museum, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, in regards of print and silhouette inspiration. Designers of particular influence to Josie were in regards to silhouette and application of print are Melissa Oddabash, Matthew Williamson and Aqua di Lara with their use of strong, feminine, elegant, confident and sexy silhouettes as well as flattering techniques.
Independent Fashion Fridays
Independent Fashion Fridays is a weekly feature highlighting five independent fashion designers that have caught our attention; and we want to support in their brand growth.
If you are an independent fashion designer interested to be featured in the Independent Fashion Fridays series please email megan@nolcha.com with more information about your brand.
Nolcha Fashion Week: New York, founded by Kerry Bannigan and Arthur Mandel, is a leading award winning event held during New York Fashion Week hosting independent fashion designer runway shows.