Fashion retailer Jigsaw and silk fabric specialists Pongees have joined
forces with the British Fashion Council to give students the chance to
design a capsule range of eveningwear, which could form part of Jigsaw’s
autumn collection.
The British Fashion Council Colleges Council has invited its member
colleges to each forward one standout student application to design an
eveningwear piece for Jigsaw, using silk supplied by Pongees, with the
piece inspired by “the beauty of things made by hand, such as sculpture” –
one of themes that has inspired Jigsaw’s designers.
Commenting on the project, a spokesperson for Jigsaw said: “We are
hoping the students will push the boundaries of pattern cutting, taking
inspiration from origami, fabric manipulation, pleating and folding.”
To support the competition and inspire the collections, Pongees has
created fabric swatches to complement Jigsaw’s autumn palette and show the
range of silk crepes, satins and tulles that are available.
“We can’t wait to see just how adventurous the students will be in their
use of silk,” added Will Steele, managing director of Pongees. “Silk is
often viewed as a classic fabric but we expect to see anything but classic
designs in the entries.”
The winning graduate’s design will be featured in at least one of
Jigsaw’s store windows and promoted via its social channels, as well as
form part of the retailer’s autumn collection, which goes on sale in
September.
The competition comprises of several judging stages. For the initial
judging, students need to submit six to eight coloured outfit illustrations
and one detailed specification with measurements for a contemporary evening
dress, together with fabric choices.
The students selected to go forward to the next stage will then be asked
to make a presentation to the judges, who will select three to five
designs, which will be made up into garments, from fabric supplied by
Pongees, for the final judging selection.
Image: Jigsaw