Blackburn fashion student secures GFW portfolio award

Blackburn fashion student Grace Shorrock has won the Fashion Communications Portfolio Award at Graduate Fashion Week (GFW).

The event, held in London, connects student talent from across the global fashion sector with industry professionals.

Shorrock, 21, picked up the award for her portfolio, compiled during her time at the University of Central Lancashire.

Her work included a campaign celebrating women’s football, a study on upcoming social trends, research on the future of retail and several hypothetical campaigns.

She also won another GFW award for the women’s football campaign, working with two other students.

Shorrock said: “I am absolutely over the moon to be awarded the Fashion Communication Portfolio Award at this year’s Graduate Fashion Week.

“To be shortlisted down to 12 individuals and initially recognised alongside over 100 other talented students is an achievement in itself.”

Her portfolio included creative work for brands such as Lush, Tony’s Chocolonely, Innocent and UNIQLO.

She used research, design, content creation, digital media and styling skills across various projects.

Shorrock added: “My portfolio aimed to reflect the in-depth research and creative storytelling that went into each individual piece of work.

Creating work for brands such as Lush, Tony’s Chocolonely, Innocent and UNIQLO meant I could showcase a wide range of skills in a creative and eye-catching way.

“Choosing brands which I am personally inspired by helped me to create work which I loved and wanted to embrace.”

The award required students to submit a well-executed, stylish and professionally presented fashion communications portfolio.

She said: “It was such a valuable experience presenting to an inspiring panel of judges.

“Their positive feedback and kind words meant so much to me and to hear that my portfolio was ‘memorable’ was extremely heart-warming and helped me feel confident that my hard work has truly paid off.

“Graduate Fashion Week provides a great opportunity to see what others are creating, gathering inspiration, creating contacts and witnessing the talented future of fashion.

“I want to thank Graduate Fashion Week and the University of Central Lancashire fashion promotion team for providing these special opportunities for students, I am forever grateful.”