Fashion grad in Selfridges window
One million people a week are seeing the work of a fashion graduate from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) at Rochester having been given his own window display at a world famous department store.
Alex Mattsson, who graduated from BA (Hons) Fashion Design in 2007, is one of 15 emerging designers who was recently named one of Selfridges Bright Young Things for 2012.
As well as showcasing his collection in the famous Oxford Street windows until the end of February, the 27-year-old has also been given the unique opportunity to sell his work in store and via Selfridges.com.
Alex, who is from Gothenburg, Sweden, said: "I feel very privileged to win this amazing talent project.
"The purpose of the Bright Young Things project is to give young designers like me a big break and to help raise our profile - I now have my collection being seen by millions in the windows of one of the world's best-known department stores as well as on sale in the shop and online.
"The publicity has already given me a huge boost – just days after I was announced a winner, I had a double-page spread in The Metro, which really shows the scale of this project and the potential benefits involved.
Donna Ives, Associate Dean of Fashion at UCA Rochester, said: "Millions of people will see Alex Mattsson's designs in the window of one of the most illustrious department stores in the world. It's every aspiring designer's dream come true."
Bright Young Things is a pioneering project by Selfridges which aims to seek out and champion the most exciting young creators in the UK.
Alex stood out for his 'razor-sharp tailoring and progressive masculine silhouettes.'
He plans to continue developing his own fashion label from his East London studio with this new exposure but remembers where he learned his craft.
Alex added: "During my degree at UCA, I went from knowing nothing about garment construction or design, to making a graduate collection which I'm still proud of.
"The guest tutors we had were really inspiring and part of the reason I have got to where I am now."
UCA has a long history in producing talented fashion designers - graduates include Karen Millen, Zandra Rhodes and 2009 Graduate Fashion Week Gold Award winner Myrto Stamou.
For more information contact:
David Reilly, Press Officer, UCA
T: 01252 892939
E: dreilly@ucreative.ac.uk
