UCA fashion grad unveiled as Talent of Tomorrow

The Talent of Tomorrow spotlights students across the UK in a major editorial shoot celebrating 30 graduate designers ahead of Graduate Fashion Week 2026 – the official curtain-raiser for the 2026 edition.

Vlad said: “It was a pleasure to be selected for this photoshoot and have my work featured among such an eclectic mix of designs.”

His collection is named ‘Proletcultism’. It was inspired by Proletarian Art, the artistic movement of the 1920s and 1930s in communist Eastern Europe, specifically Romania.  During this time, the state-mandated artistic style expected artists to glorify the working classes, industry, and the Communist Party’s ideology, so they found refuge in folklore, old culture, and pastimes.

His baggy, overly round silhouettes pay homage to 80s streetwear, which he refines through a modern lens. While the leather he uses originates from the culture of workshops and craftsmen in the communist era.

“It looks worn out, as though it had witnessed the horrors of the time it references,” explained Vlad.

“In contrast, the lace trim, an element found in Romanian folklore, is reimagined into an original form – laser-cut suede, resembling the way women would find alternatives and make use of unfit fabrics or patterns to create their wardrobe,” he continued.

UCA’s Mayuko Bosley, a third-year BA (Hons) Fashion Image and Styling student, and Marnie Richards, a third-year BA (Hons) Photography student, were part of the wider student support team who worked across styling, photography, production and social media.

Mayuko had a role as an assistant stylist, which involved dressing models, choosing accessories for the looks and ensuring garments looked right for the shoot.

“The highlight of the day was meeting so many other creatives from universities across the UK,” she explained. “Sharing ideas and making connections."

Mayuko added: “I’ve never worked on an editorial shoot of this calibre; I found it very insightful how things work in industry. I understood the importance of independent working within a team environment and creating good relationships with the team and models.”

All 30 final looks will be shown on the runway during Graduate Fashion Week 2026, which takes place 15–18 June at the Truman Brewery, London.

To learn more about studying Fashion at UCA, visit the course pages.

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