22 year old Laura Johnston took top honours this week in the Barbour fashion project at Northumbria University School of Design. Made in Barbour’s famous wax cotton fabric and taking her inspiration from the lighthouse at South Shields, Laura created a contemporary black wax jacket which was acclaimed by the judging panel from both Barbour and the School of Design.

With a theme of Tyne & Country, the brief asked Year 3 BA (Hons) fashion students to design an outfit for leading lifestyle and country clothing brand Barbour, which would attract a younger more fashion conscious consumer while still remaining true to the brand’s heritage. Based on their course, students could choose from four categories, menswear, ladieswear, knitwear or textiles.

Gary Janes, a menswear designer for Barbour said "With this project, we were looking for an understanding from the students of what makes Barbour unique and then adapting these stylisms into a contemporary garment. The standard was extremely high and it was very difficult to choose one outfit as the overall winner. After much deliberation, we decided that Laura’s design not only answered the brief but the originality of the garment made it a very stylish and potentially marketable jacket."

Gael Henry, womenswear tutor from Northumbria University’s School of Design said, "The students really rose to the occasion. They created an exciting range of alternative looks for Barbour, not only in mens and womens wax jackets but also through the decorative treatment to linings and details by Textile students and through the development of knitwear by Knit students. Thanks to fantastic cooperation and support from Barbour our students enjoyed a realistic and valuable learning experience."

Laura will receive a cheque for £250 from Barbour and a further £250 will be donated to Northumbria University’s fashion programme.

Also recognised by the judges for their work were Amy Clay and Michelle Morgan for their ladieswear outfits and Lucy Anderson, Katie Holmes and Liz Hardman for their menswear designs. In knitwear, Michelle Amos’s work was commended and in textiles, Heather Reid, Sacha Benge and Vicky Armer were singled out for their original designs and sketchbook work.

Source: J. Barbour & Sons Ltd.

11 May 2007 12:00:00 (Source: Cotswold Country Clothing)