Southampton Solent students named in ‘Talent of Tomorrow’ campaign

Fashion, photography and makeup students from Southampton Solent University featured in the Graduate Fashion Foundation’s 2025 Talent of Tomorrow campaign.

Kathleen Bassett, a BA (Hons) fashion design undergraduate, was named one of 54 graduate designers by stylist Phoebe Lettice Thompson.

Bassett’s collection explored dyslexia through fashion, drawing inspiration from the Northern Lights and the solar system, with bespoke garments like draped jumpsuits and voluminous dresses.

Bassett said: “Solent has helped me develop as a designer by encouraging me to try new techniques and go out of my comfort zone.

“Studying a creative degree at university has been good for me, because I’ve learnt different techniques of how to make clothes.”

Graduate Fashion Foundation selects students from across the UK each year for the Talent of Tomorrow campaign, which highlights those set to enter the industry.

Emma Calder, course leader for fashion design, fashion photography and fashion styling and creative direction at Solent, said: “I am always so proud, as a course leader and an academic trustee for GFF, to see how professionally the graduating students work together at the Talent of Tomorrow creative photoshoot.

“They come together, sharing their diverse skills and ideas that have been developed and honed during their studies, to create a unique showcase which celebrates the ingenuity and creativity of students from across such a wide spectrum of fashion-based degree courses.”

Fifteen final-year students from the department of art and music took part in the Shoreditch shoot, handling photography and videography.

BA (Hons) fashion photography and image production student Tasmin Khatun was lead photographer for one of the shoots.

Khatun said: “Connecting with so many creatives from across the country felt surreal and exciting.

“I was incredibly lucky to have an industry mentor, Mathushaa Sagthidas. As someone I already follow and look up to – especially as a South Asian woman breaking into the industry – it really calmed my nerves.

“Solent has been a nurturing space for discovering my creative voice and improving my technical skills, and this opportunity has truly reaffirmed that this is the career path I want to pursue.”

A team from the university’s BA (Hons) make-up and hair design course, working under the name GUNK Pro, created looks for the shoot using Rimmel products.

Abi Hobbs, gunk junior editor and member of the make-up team, said: “The Talent of Tomorrow photoshoot helped me to engage with other creatives and show my skills within editorial based makeup.

“I enjoyed meeting new connections whilst also learning new things about the industry.”

Former BA (Hons) photography student Grace Hodgson, now a mentor, also took part. Since graduating in 2018, Hodgson has worked with British Vogue and Nick Knight CBE.

Donna Bevan, course leader for prosthetics and special effects design, BA make-up and hair design and MA make-up and hair design futures, said: “This is such a great real-world experience; collaborating with students from across the UK, developing contacts and networks, and producing some great looks!”