Abi Fender, 23, a second-year fashion design student from Liverpool John Moores University made it through to the finals of the 2011/12 David Nieper Fashion Academy competition – a national fashion design competition to find and award the very best young fashion designers for their talents in designing for women aged 50 and above.
Abi Fender, student at Liverpool John Moores proves fashion is safe in young hands
Abi was presented with her award by Christopher Nieper, managing director of David Nieper, at a VIP event hosted by Juan Cruz, director of the Liverpool Design Academy, held prior to the annual graduate catwalk show on Thursday 24 May.
David Nieper’s MD, Christopher Nieper, said: “Abi should be congratulated for making it through to the finals. I wanted to encourage both Abi and other up-and-coming fashion designers here in Liverpool by coming along in person to present her award.”
Abi’s collection ‘Future Flora’ was selected for its natural creativity and willingness to experiment whilst meeting the needs of the older woman. The collection included five garments aimed at fashionable and professional 50+ women and her entry was accompanied by a marketing strategy and plan to introduce and sell the collection direct to customers both on and offline.
As a winning university, Liverpool John Moores University can now run its own internal fashion design competition, sponsored and supported by David Nieper. First year fashion design students will also be attending an away day at David Nieper in September.
Carol Ryder, senior lecturer in fashion design from Liverpool John Moores University concludes: “This is the first time we have entered the David Nieper competition, and we are delighted that Abi has done so well. The David Nieper Fashion Academy has a great deal to offer fashion students, and we look forward to cementing links with the Academy in future.”
The David Nieper Fashion Academy was launched in 2010 to provide vocational and business skills training to support and encourage the fashion industry of the future. Offering practical experience in a live commercial environment, the company works closely with education and its local community to help answer the fashion industry’s SOS for skills and nurture homegrown talent.
For more information on David Nieper, visit: www.davidnieper.co.uk
More information on the David Nieper Fashion Academy competition can be found at www.fashionacademy.org
