Student designers shine at graduate fashion week
University of Staffordshire students have been turning heads at Graduate Fashion Week 2025 with standout collections and award-winning designs.
Graduate Fashion Week (GFW) provides a launchpad for new graduates, offering exposure to industry professionals including recruiters, buyers, stylists, and media.
BA (Hons) Fashion student Bogdan Dobas from University of Staffordshire was named winner in the Collective Catwalk Show for his final-year collection, Oversized Outcasts, which was then included in the event’s final gala.
Inspired by graffiti in cities across the UK, Bogdan created his streetwear designs using digital software Clo3D. The judges commended the collection for its wearability, proportion and sleek atheistic.
(Image by University of Staffordshire)
“Being selected for the top 20 looks was such a shock to me, I was so happy to be able to participate in such an event, and feel recognised within the sea of competition,” the 22-year-old said.
“It was such an honour to meet all the wonderful creatives who make up the fashion industry, the board of judges, and sponsors of GFW fashion foundation.”
Students on University of Staffordshire’s Fashion degree get hands-on with everything from pattern cutting and CAD drawing to photo shoots and exhibitions. The course also explores sustainability and diversity in fashion, along with emerging technologies for 3D virtual designs.
Students Annica Stuart, Lily George and Hannah Severn were all selected for the Graduate Fashion Week Talent of Tomorrow photoshoot – a national campaign styled, shot, and curated by 49 standout graduate creatives from across the UK.
Bogdan and Annica also impressed during a portfolio review with the Jimmy Choo Academy at GFW and have been offered scholarships to pursue a Masters with the renowned institution.
Bogdan said: “The course at Staffs is amazing to say the least, all the lecturers, staff, technicians are very helpful. The course is structured really well, in a way that informs you about marketing, styling, design, and more, you can choose in which area you wish to specialise, with key learning points put in place to help you develop your style and skills along the way. I’m really happy with my journey at University of Staffordshire, and really happy to have met all the people I did along the way.
“Moving forward with the Jimmy Choo Academy scholarship, I am still yet to make a final decision but it is exciting to be offered such a wonderful opportunity at such a prestigious fashion academy.”
