A Sheffield Hallam University student has won a national award for his bold wedding dress, inspired by iconic 1950s Christian Dior designs.
Fashion design student Geraint Jones, 21, was awarded first place in the Bridal Buyers Awards' Best Student Designer category for his creation, which blends classic with contemporary designs, featuring a Harris tweed hooded jacket and taffeta skirt.
Geraint said: "I feel very honoured to have been awarded best student designer. It's a once in a life time achievement, and I'm extremely happy to have made a mark within the fashion industry. I'm hoping it will help me stand out from the crowd in gaining internship and work opportunities in the future.
"The dress was inspired by 1950s couture clothing. I experimented with different design aesthetics, working with elements and shapes from the past to develop something contemporary."
Two other students from Sheffield Hallam's BA (Hons) Fashion Design course - Rebecca Garnett and Emilie Arnoux - were also selected to be among the 12 finalists, and attended the awards ceremony in Harrogate last week.
It is the second year in a row that a Sheffield Hallam student has won the award. Last year Kate Harrod won the Best Student Designer award for her for her red leather and black paper silk creation, inspired by the dramatic demise of the Russian royal family.
The Bridal Buyer Awards programme, organised by Bridal Buyer magazine, acknowledges innovation and excellence in bridal design, manufacturing and retailing, and is a highlight of the industry calendar. The awards ceremony is attended by the key players and top designers, and provides finalists with a great opportunity to showcase their talents to industry experts and potential employers.
Staged every year to coincide with the British Bridal Exhibition in Harrogate (BBEH), this long-running awards programme has been proven to make a difference not just to the category winners, but also to their co-finalists who, for the following year, can claim to be among the very best, recognised for delivering excellence.
Sheffield Hallam University
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