2008 Hempel Young Designers Award in Beijing

The competition, held annually in Beijing in the Springtime, brings together students from thirty two different countries and judges from ten. It is a unique atmosphere in a very unique country. Each year the theme is different and in 2008 the topic was "Chinese Calligraphy". The breadth of design interpretation was incredible.

Jessica Gorringe was our representative having been chosen from 1674 entries world wide. She interpreted the brief into a range of five bodies mixing sheer kimono like shapes with finely drawn Chinese letters, and teamed with sensationally seamed garments with tough leather trims and accessories. Jess's garments drew the judges' approval for the beautiful make and sculptured fit. Jess has made lots of new friends around the world and said it was the experience of a lifetime.

For the third time, Jill Phillips, Program Coordinator of the Fashion; Technical Department was invited to judge the competition. This was a great honour and a great opportunity to network with other lecturers from colleges all around the world. The judging panel this year consisted of lecturers from Finland, Korea, Germany, England, Japan, Italy, Australia and the Deans of two of Beijing's finest Universities completed the panel.

The overall winner of the Hempel Award was David Ubl from Berlin, with a fabulous range of menswear. Below are pictures of Jessica's designs on the runway and of Jessica and David on the Great Wall of China and above is a copy of Jessica's entry to the award.