Graduate fashion designs celebrated - graduate jobs

Designers of the future have been celebrated at Graduate Fashion Week.

Rebecca Thompson, a Manchester School of Art graduate, was praised by judges for her "casual couture" collection which mixed hand-pleated details with jogging pants.

The 22-year-old picked up the top prize at the gala show.

Among the judges was designer Alberta Ferretti, who employs graduates at her studio.

She praised fashion education in the UK and said it struck a perfect balance between the "fantasy of fashion" along with skills such as tailoring.

Other winners included Ravensbourne College student Thomas Crisp, praised for his "skills as a modern menswear designer with a good commercial edge" and Rhea Fields, of Northbrook College, who won best womenswear.

Elle editor Lorraine Candy, who was also one of the judges, praised the overall standard and a move to more accomplished designs that were less "out there".