“The only real limit is my own imagination”- Manchester Fashion Institute is producing the next generation of talent

Manchester Fashion Institute has a reputation for nurturing the next generation of talent, as well as utilising innovative technology to give their students the best possible advantage at succeeding in the industry.

The annual Graduate Fashion Week Awards recognise excellence and can be crucial for attracting industry interest, as well as celebrating the hard work put in by students. Graduates at Manchester Fashion Institute at Manchester Metropolitan University were amongst those recognised at the 2022 event, with 15 students shortlisted for prizes in 12 categories spanning across innovation to photography and sustainability to styling.

One of the big winners this year was Fashion Design and Technology student Francesca Merrick’s collection, inspired by her Scottish roots. She was awarded the Fashion Range Plan Award which celebrates and showcases the creative practice of a range plan illustration.

“Winning the fashion range plan award feels amazing! I am so grateful that the team and judges at Graduate Fashion Week saw the promise in my collection and it has proved to me that hard work does pay off,” she said.

“My graduate collection is built around exploring my own Scottish heritage. My Scottish roots are a huge part of my family, but they are something I have never known much about and felt very detached from growing up in Wales. I believe there is an importance of sustaining heritage within our super modern society.

“So by using my family's stories and our clan's tartans I am reviving their livelihood. The whole day was an amazing experience from start to finish and I enjoyed every minute!”

Other notable accolades from the event included the Best in Show Prizes, of which Fashion Design Technology student Charlie