There is something so unmistakably different about the vibe you get at GFW that you don't find at other catwalk shows.

Sure the standard of production and the quality of clothing, is (sometimes) just as good as the kind you would find at the international catwalk shows but, the energy and the expectancy sets the week apart.

The energy can best be described as a heady mix of excitement and fear. The fear of losing the opportunity of a lifetime if, designs fail to make an impression with talent scouts or, the prospect of being discovered. John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Stellla McCartney and Stuart Vevers (to name a few) have all contributed to the fortunes of luxury giants: PPR, LVMH and Richemont who's personnel department staff (along with those from the UK's high street), often descend on the week in the hope of making the next big coup. And it is understandable why. With such a high concentration of talent, coupled with the UK's prestige at producing the most talented designers in the world, it simply makes sense to do so.

This year, not only were students vying for a job in the design rooms of some of the power houses listed above but, also prize money of £20,000 (sponsored by River Island). Judging the 10 finalists competing for The Graduate Collection of the Year title and other awards, was: Glenda Bailey (Editor-in-Chief of Harper's Bazaar), Victoria Beckham, Richard Bradbury (Managing Director of River Island) and Alber Elbaz Designer at Lavin).

The 2007 lucky winners were named as:
Lilli Rose Wicks, Somerset College — Visionary Knitwear Award
Jessica Clark, Manchester Metropolitan University — Zandra Rhodes Catwalk Textiles Award
Kelly Shaw, University of East London — River Island Gold Award Runner Up (Womenswear Award)
Jasper Sinchai Chadprajong, Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication and Nicholas Thomas, UWE Bristol — River Island Gold Award joint winners

Below we have selected some of the highlights from the shows:

graduate fashion week Shows
> De Montfort University 2009
> Kingston University 2009
> Manchester Metropolitan University 2009
> Brighton University 2008
> Graduate Fashion Week 2008
> Brighton University 2007
> Graduate Fashion week 2007
> Central Saint Martins 2007
> Graduate fashion week 2006
> London College of Fashion 2005
> Surrey Institute of Art & Design University College 2005
> London College of Fashion 2004
> Surrey Institute of Art & Design University College 2004
> Central St Martins 2002
> Brighton University's 2001
> London College of Fashion 2001