Before they were famous
At WGSN we pride ourselves on being able to spot the next big thing, as we search the world’s leading universities for the most promising talent in the near-saturated world of design. Here we highlight 10 students we tipped for the top and who have gone on to enjoy great success.
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Central Saint Martins fashion show 2006Christopher Kane: Womenswear - Central Saint Martins
Christopher Kane first caught our eye at his BA degree show back in 2004, but his exciting MA work in 2006 confirmed his place as a genuine and influential rising star in the fashion world.
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Curvaceous exhibitionZac Posen: Womenswear - Parsons/Central Saint Martins
In 2001, during his second year at CSM, Posen's work was featured in the V&A exhibition Curvaceous. His clothes eschew trends, presenting instead a timeless concept of feminine appeal. Today, the designer is a regular on the schedule at New York Fashion Week and dresses many A-list stars.
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100% Design 2002Helen Amy Murray: Textiles Interiors - Chelsea College of Art and Design
Helen Amy Murray's beautiful couture approach to fabric design attracted WGSN back in 2002. Murray predominantly works with private commissions and will stage a solo exhibition of new creative work in Paris in November.
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Central Saint Martins MA fashion show 2005Louise Goldin: Knitwear - Central Saint Martins
WGSN spotted Louise Goldin's beautifully sexy, subtle knitwear at her MA graduate show in 2005. Goldin has grown to be one of the most influential knitwear designers of her generation, and her most recent collection was a highlight of September's London Fashion Week.
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New Designers 2005Johanna Basford: Textiles - Dundee
Johanna Basford's striking and complex hand-drawn textile work caught the WGSN attention at the New Designers show in 2005. Basford went on to receive numerous design awards, including one from the UK's Elle Decoration. This year Basford plans to display work at London's 100% Design, before moving on to Indigo, Paris, and finally to 100% Tokyo in October.
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RCA textiles graduates 2003Donna Wilson: Product/Textiles - Royal College of Art
WGSN was captivated by Donna Wilson's work at her RCA graduate show in 2003. Her much-imitated, kooky knitted creatures continue to delight us, along with her cool homeware accessories - now stocked worldwide.
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RCA Fashion and Textiles Work in Progress 2003Erdem: Fashion Womenswear - Royal College of Art
We first spotted Erdem Moralioglu at the RCA's Work in Progress event, prior to his graduate show in 2003. Erdem went on to work with Diane von Furstenberg in the US, before returning to London to win the UK's Fashion Fringe trophy, and is now a regular at London Fashion Week.
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WGSN Reports 2006Giles Miller (Farm Designs): Sustainable Product - Falmouth
Giles Miller's talent first came to light in 2006 when he was shortlisted for the UK's Designer of the Year Award. Dubbed the "cardboard king", Miller transforms corrugated cardboard into products with wit and beauty. Miller is also a member of Farm Designs, a UK design collective that produces a diverse range of highly original products.
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Antwerp Academy fashion graduates 2008Yuima Nakazato: Futuristic Costume - Antwerp
WGSN first recognised Yuima Nakazato's flair for design during the 2008 Antwerp show. His graduating collection includes a pop-up style of design and inventive use of fabric technology. WGSN's Generation Now cites Nakazato as one to watch.
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Spotlight on... David SteinhorstDavid Steinhorst: Womenswear - Central Saint Martins
Recent graduate David Steinhorst prepares for a long career following his recent success at the ITS#Seven competition and scooping the Harrods Design Award at the CSM MA show earlier this year.
ITS#Seven design competition
