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Abigail's graduate collection

Abigail
Coop

United Kingdom
As a result of the amazing facilities and staff, NTU has become a renowned university for fashion.

More about Abigail

Abigail was named the runner up of the 2017 Christopher Bailey Gold Award and Visionary Knitwear Award as part of this year's Graduate Fashion Week.

What made you choose to study at NTU?
“Nottingham as a city has a very homely feel to it and that was an instant attraction. NTU has amazing facilities for fashion courses and it made me excited to explore the possible potentials.”

What did you most enjoy about studying Fashion Knitwear Design and Knitted Textiles?
“Gaining knowledge and new skills about all the different knitting machines and all the multiple techniques that you can achieve with them. I also enjoyed the workshops delivered my external industry specialists.”

Can you tell us a little bit about your graduate collection?
“My inspiration can from looking at teddy bears and the idea of them being pulled apart and sewn back together. I needed materials that would recreate the textures of the idea of teddy-bears ‘bursting at the seams’. Not only was I looking at teddy bears but also the human body and how it is exposed and can be taken apart and put back together.

“This is where the embroidered silk plaits come into my collection. This was my interpretation of stitches and being ‘sewn back up’ as the silk was woven in and out of the sheer fabric, just like stitches are woven in and out of the skin.”

How did it feel to be named runner up in two of the most prestigious Graduate Fashion Week (GFW) award categories?
“I never expected to get as far as I did, so it was a very overwhelming experience! Not just GFW itself but also knowing others in the fashion industry credited my work.”

Did the course include any guest speakers from industry?
“During Year Two, designer Christopher Raeburn came in and delivered a talk and presentation. This was a standout moment of my NTU experience.

“It gave an insight into the fashion world. It was so inspirational to hear how it is possible to become a respected designer through a lot of dedication and hard work. It also highlighted how you need to the confidence to get yourself out there as a designer and take every opportunity to showcase your work because you don’t know who is going to see it.”

How did you find the course staff?
“The technical staff are amazing and I couldn’t have created my collection without their knowledge and skills! They were not just there to provide the technical help, but they were there when I needed a confidence boost or to have a chat about something other than work related.”

Why would you recommend NTU to someone looking to study Fashion Knitwear Design and Knitted Textiles?
“NTU has a lot to offer. As a result of the amazing facilities and staff, NTU has become a renowned university for fashion.

“I feel that studying at such a great university will provide me with a head start when I start working within the fashion industry. NTU is in a perfect location, with easy access to central Nottingham. During my time here, I noticed that both the city and university has a very easy going and buzzing vibe.”

Read more about NTU's GFW success on our latest news page.

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