Style Cramp: FAD winners at Vauxhall Fashion Scout

Described by Vogue as an 'undeniable springboard', the Fashion Awareness Direct competition is open to emerging young designers in the fledgling stage of their careers.

With more universities entering than ever before, it's a must for any fashion student worth their salt. Previous winners have gone on to design for brands including Asos and French Connection.

The catwalk show was held at The Freemasons Halls, home to showcase Vauxhall Fashion Scout.

Maria Alvarez, Director of FAD, introduced the show of 15 finalists with a few words about this year's theme of escape and what was expected of the finalist designers; a mini collection with inventive detail, excellent finish and original creativity.

Milly Jackson, 22, from Nottingham Trent University was crowned the 10^th FAD Competition winner, with a £2,000 prize and a placement with Whistles, for her dresses inspired by the best selling novel ‘Life of Pi’.

The finalists:

Annie Vallis - Nottingham Trent University (2nd runner up)
Emily Booker - Bath Spa University
Ashleigh Downer - London College of Fashion
Emma Clifton - Edinburgh College of Art
Kerri Goulden - University of Salford
Qi Zhan - Edinburgh College of Art
Lucy Johnson - University of East Anglia
Rachael Brooks - University of Brighton
Kay Wilcox - Huddersfield University
Este Ndongala - University of Salford
Millie Jackson - Nottingham Trent University (winner)
Shaban Mahomed - Thames Valley University
Joanna Louise Mandle - Manchester Metropolitan University
Laura Carew-Gibson - DeMontford University (1st runner up)

An impressive panel of judges included Martyn Roberts, director of Vauxhall Fashion Scout, Professor Wendy Dagworthy, head of the School of Fashion & Textiles at the Royal College of Art and Anne Tyrrell, chair of BFC Colleges Council.