GCU Fashion Showcase provides student with confidence for the future

A student has spoken of her delight after her latest design was highlighted at the GCU Fashion Showcase.

The event took place on Tuesday 9 June, with the catwalk show featuring outfits from industry collaborations with Kestin Bernat Klein and the award-winning kilt and highland wear specialist MacGregor and MacDuff.

Third year BA (Hons) Fashion Design with Business student, Naomi Louden, was invited to talk on stage about how a trip to the Isle of Skye inspired her versatile and sustainable creation.

Naomi said: “I’ve worked as part of the GCU Fashion Showcase every year since coming to university. I was a dresser for the first two years, which basically involved me working backstage with the models.”

2026 ended up leading to a new opportunity for Naomi, after she got the chance to work with Kestin through one of her modules.

She explained: “I was actually on exchange when Kestin visited GCU and gave us the brief. I had a bit of a crazy catch-up once I was back from Australia.

“We were tasked with creating an outerwear collection. We had to design six outfits and then choose one that we would actually make. The first trimester was focused on building our design idea and focusing on the inspiration behind it.”

Naomi added: “I went to the Kestin store in Edinburgh and spoke to the staff to find out what was popular throughout their organisation. I’d never made menswear before, so I knew I had to do my research. Visiting allowed me to find out that their work really focused on their Scottish heritage and craftsmanship, so I knew I had to focus on that with my designs.”

A trip with friends at the start of the year helped Naomi develop a clear idea of how her design would look.

“My inspiration came from a trip to the Isle of Skye back in January,” explained Naomi.
“I drew a lot of inspiration from the little white croft houses, which were in stark contrast to the darker landscape around them.

“We were really fortunate that we were given fabric donations from Kestin, as well as Oliver Spencer and The Materialist. It really saved me quite a bit in terms of preparation and allowed me to make my design very versatile.

“You can zip off the sleeves to make it into a gilet, and you can also do the same with the trousers to turn them into shorts. Versatility and sustainability were really at the heart of what I created. Another benefit was that I made the jacket unisex so that anyone could wear it.”

Naomi’s design was the first of her year-group to be featured at the GCU Fashion Showcase on 9 June, and she also got the chance to talk about her creation on stage.

“My lecturer asked me if I would be interested in going on stage and talking about my design. I always throw myself at anything that comes my way; I was president of the Fashion Society and I’ve been Class Rep for my course for the past three years. So, I was really happy to get such an incredible opportunity.

“I had a design in the GCU Fashion Showcase last year and I don’t think I managed my time very well last year. I really pushed myself this year, so it is really satisfying to see it all come together. To get the chance to speak about it as well was really special – not just because I love to yap!”

Naomi added: “The first question I was asked was about my garment, the inspiration and the process behind it. I was also asked about working to the brief set out by Kestin and the impact of the fabric donations. I also reflected on how good it was being involved in the overall event.

Asking Naomi the questions were members of GCU’s Fashion Advisory Board, who earlier held a masterclass for students at GCU’s Entrepreneurial Hub.

“The masterclass was great for me personally because it gave me the chance to meet Dr Tessa Hartman, Dr Jonathan Chippindale, and Dr Mark Hogarth before the Showcase actually took place. They have so much incredible experience and really do play a huge role in the industry.

“These are the type of people that I would see on LinkedIn, so to actually be able to talk to them in person really helps my development and definitely made me feel less nervous before the event started. It also made me feel at ease because it showed me that, even with all their success, they’re just people too and really want to help.”

Despite not knowing exactly what area of the fashion industry she wants to focus on in future, the GCU Fashion Showcase has helped Naomi realise she’s definitely on the right path.

“It was just an amazing experience overall for me at this point in my career.

“I honestly keep changing my mind about what I want to do once I finish up. I’ve got my sister and two flatmates graduating this year, so the whole ‘next stage in life’ is quite a normal conversation just now.

“One of the Advisory Board Members actually gave me great advice around not necessarily focusing on exactly what I want to do in the early part of my career. The best thing I can do at this stage is pivot, pivot, pivot; basically try lots of different things. It’s about gaining different experiences and then that will hopefully help me find out exactly what I want to do.”

You can find out more about the GCU Fashion Showcase here

By Ross Clark

Achieved something related to your course or in your personal life? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk