17.10.07
Fashion first for Falmouth

Thirty-two scarlet-clad students took centre stage at a glittering event to launch two new fashion-based courses at University College Falmouth last week.

The event, at the Woodlane Campus in Falmouth, celebrated the launch of BA(Hons) Fashion Design and BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design as well as the opening of enviable, world-class fashion studios which house the latest technology and awe-inspiring, industry-standard facilities – from ‘high street curvy’ mannequins to machines that can weld hi-tech materials for performance sportswear.

“This is an historic moment for the College,” said Principal Professor Alan Livingston as he welcomed the assembled guests. “These students are pioneers and will make a huge difference to the creative life of Cornwall,” he continued. “It is new courses like these that are transforming the county from a brain drain into a brain gain.”

Director of Design, John Miller, also added that whilst the two new courses were firmly rooted in Cornwall, they were designed to meet the demands of the global industry. “The courses are set to have a major impact on the fashion and retail scene in Cornwall. We hope some of these students will use their creative and entrepreneurial talents to launch new brands with international ambitions. We have already established links with the fashion industry in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Australia, which will enable students to work with design companies and manufacturers across the world using our latest video-conferencing technology.”

The students were invited to design outfits for the evening from three metres of red material a week before the party – from satin and muslin to velvet and net – the results of which were stunning.

They had also participated in a competition to design a capsule collection for Saturday Telegraph Travel Editor, Gill Charlton, for a forthcoming cycling trip round Italy. Gill’s brief invited the students to design clothes that could be transported in her cycle panniers, didn’t need ironing, and were suitable for a variety of occasions – from chic, city tourism to a glamorous dinner with the Italian ambassador.

The winner of the competition was Laura Leach who won a whole host of fashion-related surprises that included a signed copy of ‘100 years of Fashion Illustration’ by the renowned author, Cally Blackman and hair products, generously donated by Toni & Guy.

“I had fun with the project and I hope this came across in my final collection,” said Laura. “I think we are all very lucky here at Falmouth to have access to such amazing facilities and staff, and I am really excited about being here.”

“The party was a huge success,” concluded Patrick Gottelier, who co-directs the two new courses with his partner, Jane. “It was great to have the opportunity to show off what a wonderful facility we have here at the Fashion Centre for the first time. Attendees included local and international business, representatives from the RoyalCollege of Art and staff from potential feeder courses, and, without exception, they were all hugely impressed by what UCF has established here.”

University College Falmouth is a founding partner in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC), a unique initiative to promote regional economic regeneration through Higher Education. The CUC is funded mainly by the European Union (Objective One), the South West Regional Development Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, with support from Cornwall County Council.

For further information about BA(Hons) Fashion Design and BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design at University College Falmouth, please visit: www.falmouth.ac.uk, email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone Admissions on 01326 213852.

For further information please contact Jilly Easterby, Head of Public Affairs, University College Falmouth, on 01326 213792 or email jilly.easterby@falmouth.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). University College Falmouth is a partner of the CUC.

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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