A budding fashion designer from Coleraine has caught the eye of marketplace insiders. Designs by Poppy Warwicker-Le Breton (22), from Carthall Manor, are set to hit the catwalk in Europe’s fashion capital next month.
Womens wear designer Poppy, a final year fashion student at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), has been selected by a panel of external judges to send six of her stunning creations down the runway at Graduate Fashion Week at Earls Court on June 8.
This prestigious event inside the annual fashion calendar has previously launched the careers of John Galliano, Hussein Chalayan, Stella McCartney and Burberry’s Christopher Bailey, to name but a few.
Poppy says: “It’s every fashion student’s dream to show at Graduate Fashion Week, and what I’ve been working towards for the past three years.
“Some on the world’s finest recognized fashion designers launched their careers there, and it is an incredible opportunity to have my collection seen by a few of the most important people from the sector.
“Journalists and fashion scouts from across the globe attend the event and previous students have been snapped up by fashion houses including Donna Karan, Gucci and Calvin Klein. I just can’t wait!”
Describing her fashion, Poppy added: “I enjoy blurring the boundaries between arts and design to develop statement garments that could stand alone as pieces of art.
“My last collection features large, round silhouettes that echo sculptures by Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore, organic fabrics just like Welsh wool and cotton drill and a neutral color palette of white, cream, vanilla and black. I’ve also utilized several hand construction techniques, including finger knitting wool and shaping all my garments by hand and touch.”
Poppy, who previously attended Coleraine High School, would like to undertake a Masters to develop her abilities in knitwear and print additional.
She also hopes to gain further experience within the fashion marketplace following her graduation and dreams of one day setting up her own label.