Catherine Whittaker
I am currently studying Fashion at Burnley College and over all; I have been studying this design area for 5 years now. My love for fashion started in high school when I was the tender age of 14. From all the ‘arty forty’ stuff to the ‘nitty gritty’, I loved everything about it. There is always something to learn each day, which always kept me intrigued and wanting to learn more. As they say in fashion: ‘one minute you’re in, the next you’re out’. 5 years later, with extensive knowledge of the fashion industry. I have come to the end of my fashion course and it is time to create my final collection…

My inspiration lays in the 7 wonders of the world, which has been heavily influenced by my background in the Arts. I gain inspiration from the world around me: culture and life. My unique and individual style shines through my work and I hope you will love it as much I have loved making them.

Beth Davy-Day
I am currently in my final year studying Fashion and Clothing at Burnley College. From an early age of dressing my unwilling sisters into 90’s retro trends, I have had a great passion for fashion. Over the past two years of my course, I have transformed not only in my fashion design work but also in every area including Textiles, Illustration, Contextual Studies and Art. The course has given me a huge scope & knowledge into the fashion industry which I will carry through to a degree.

One of the most exciting opportunities in my career so far, was to visit London and work backstage at Fashion Expo (A huge fashion show in London to exhibit up and coming English designers). It was an amazing experience where I had the opportunity to help out ‘behind-the-scenes’ backstage and gain real insight into how a fashion show is produced. Four places were awarded after a tough interview process and I was lucky enough to be chosen. It was a tremendous experience and one which will stay with me.

I am currently wardrobe mistress assistant at Todmorden Hippodrome (amateur dramatics). It has been a fantastic opportunity that has polished my seamstress skills. It has given me an overwhelming sense of satisfaction to know that people are wearing my garments and my work is being greatly received.

I live and breathe fashion and it’s my dream to work eventually within the fashion industry.

Vikki Hirst
I have been studying fashion at Burnley College for two years and intend to continue in this field at University. I feel that fashion is about constantly finding new pathways; creating an individual and unique flare for everything you design.

For my final collection I wanted to push the boundaries of how fashion is perceived and introduce a more artistic take. The meaning behind my collection is that I see fashion as a blank canvas and it can be manipulated in any way to suit the right person. Fashion is like art you wear. A blank canvas is making “something” out of nothing.

Carly Wilson
For my final year at Burnley College, I have worked on two very different project themes, showing the diversity in my skills and my personality.

I chose to work on an animal rights based theme because it is my life’s passion. My collection is a symbol of what is going on within the world regarding animal rights and the political aspect behind it. My second theme is street fashion as it shows my individual style. I intend to study at University, organise the prestigious fashion show events and help organisations such at PETA to help change the people’s perception and ignorance about animal welfare and rights within the fashion industry.

Felicity Bradshaw
With a splash of the Mediterranean and a hint of the Irish I’m a fiery yet charismatic young fashion designer with dreams of making myself known within the industry. My passions are eccentric to say the least; however I have a specific weakness for anything vintage and am inspired by a range of different designers such as Gareth Pugh to F.Scott Fitzgerald. I am a social butterfly that thrives being amongst others, who is up on trends but who remains distinct in her own style. Within my work I love to test boundaries and break down walls using creative shapes and interesting fabrics to produce something unique. One day I hope to return to Paris or New York to further my career, until then I look forward to experiencing University and developing who I am as a Fashion designer, further.

Wayne Daniel
In fashion, it all boils down to one thing...does your talent speak volumes? I’d like to think mine does and wouldn’t be misplaced in many jobs within the industry. I aspire to be within the humdrum of runway production and on the set of quirky photo-shoots, be it behind the lens or in the costume cupboard. I have been recently accepted at the University College for Creative Arts in Epsom to study for a BA in Fashion Promotion and Imaging with a foundation year in Fashion to thoroughly prepare myself for a life in the fashion industry. My creative influences come from many areas and mainly depend on what inspires me in any given time; current muses include David La Chapelle, Vivienne Westwood and Diane Arbus. My background is thoroughly academic but it is through my background in Art which has allowed me to participate in The Edge 08’ fashion show and give me a taste of how my professional life could be.

Rebecca Laura Louise
From being a young girl I dreamed of leaving my home town of Manchester behind me and going on to bigger and better things. From walking the school corridors and being ‘that girl’ who always started crazy fashion trends I feel I was always destined for more than what the Manchester suburbs had to offer me. Eighteen years on I now feel like my dreams of becoming a fashion designer have been well and truly ignited.

After gaining many skills and experience through College, and most importantly everyday life, I now feel I am almost there. Though I do intend to carry on with my education in Fashion and Clothing, I would like to hone my creative skills within the design area and create work that has inspirations and roots in my everyday life and events.

Lucy Dinsdale
Studying Fashion & Clothing at Burnley College for 2 years has given me an excellent grounding in Fashion. For my final year, I have created a Country and Western them but with a contemporary twist. The collection is an unusual collaboration of traditional cowboy styles and apparel with modern glamorous detailing. I have continuously found this particular style attractive but my real influences for the collection came from the designer Manuel Cuevas. He designed a collection based on the Wild West, which I found exceptionally inspiring, and I immediately had the desire to produce my own interpretation of Country and western attire for my college course.

When I graduate from college I would like to work in a high fashion retail store, and work my way up the career ladder and progress to a retail buyer. My aspiration in life is to have my own successful clothing line.

Natalia Hrynczuk
Through looking at and researching different Fashion Designers over the years, I have based my final major project collection on the designer Jovani. Studying Fashion & Clothing at Burnley College has given me a real insight into the fashion industry and fashion designers. I am heavily inspired by Nature and everyday life which I have linked into my theme for my final collection. I have mixed the old with the contemporary and linked a range of tropical and English flowers into my pieces to represent the Nature and life theme.