Review: NTU's Graduate Festival fashion show
By Isabelle Pennington-Edmead | Published on 4 June 2025
Categories: Press office; School of Art & Design;
A review of the 2025 NTU Graduate Festival fashion show by , womenswear designer and fashion design alumna of NTU
Going back to Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé to see the work of current fashion design students was a nostalgic and inspiring experience.
Walking through the showcase brought back memories of my time at the university and reminded me of how much the course shaped my career.
It was particularly amazing to experience the show in the new setting of the Waverley Building, which added another layer to the event. The building’s atmosphere built on the experience by making the show immersive and experimental.
Isabelle Pennington-Edmead at NTU's Graduate Festival 2025
The collaboration between fashion design and fashion marketing was equally impressive, creating a unique and cohesive showcase that demonstrated the power of interdisciplinary teamwork.
The film shown at the beginning of the event was a standout moment, it evoked a sense of genuine excitement and pride in Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé as a city, with its rich history in textiles. It was inspiring to see how the next generation of designers is honouring and preserving this legacy while pushing boundaries in innovation and creativity.
Walking into the show, the hologram display of the students’ collections stood out for its innovative approach. The use of holograms added a modern touch and highlighted the university’s focus on technology and experimentation.
The displays from the fashion product students were intriguing and offered a chance to appreciate the designs up close. Themes like equestrian wear and streetwear were noticeable, showcasing the students' creativity and practical thinking. Being able to examine the details and concepts behind the garments added depth to the experience and its always nice to see portfolios and designs behind the collections.
This year’s show was impressive with bold designs that really stood out on the catwalk. There was a lot of variety, with collections showing confidence and creativity. I was particularly impressed by the zero-waste pattern-cut designs, these showed great technical skill. Corsets and structural pieces were popular, giving the show a unique edge. One highlight was seeing students experiment with alternative materials, including bio-fabrics they had grown themselves, which was exciting and forward-thinking.
The attention to detail in the designs was remarkable. From the hand embroidery to the embellishments, the level of craftsmanship was very high and showed the dedication of the students.
Looking back on my journey, I feel grateful for the grounding the course gave me in design, pattern-cutting, and manufacturing. After graduating, I won the Midlands Emerging Designer of the Year award and completed a master’s degree in textiles for fashion at Manchester School of Art. I originally developed my interest in print design at Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Trent so I wanted to investigate this side of fashion further.
Fashion knitwear design at NTU
I’ve worked on sustainable collections for Yoox Net-A-Porter and the King’s Foundation, including one of Net-A-Porter’s most sustainable private label collections. , and wholesale to ASOS. My brand has earned recognition such as the King’s Foundation 35 under 35 and Young Entrepreneur Award, as well as a spot on Drapers’ 30 under 30 list.
It was great to see the new generation of fashion designers and the energy they bring to the industry. The showcase was a reminder of the creativity and skill fostered by the university.
is a womenswear designer specialising in textiles and sustainability, and a fashion design alumna of NTU