GRADUATE FASHION WEEK 2024
POST-MATERIALIST BY MAX BASALA
My final bachelor’s collection, Post-Materialist, was my vision of how fashion could look in a future where no new clothing is produced, and people have to make do with what they already have. I created six men's outfits to show how imperfections like holes, faded colors, and signs of wear can be transformed into wearable pieces while still reflecting the passage of time and material degradation.
Each outfit had a different color to highlight the variety of shades and tones fabrics can develop over time, whether through wear or textile dyes. I focused on layering, patchwork, and mending techniques, reworking existing clothing and fabric remnants into something new. Every piece was handmade by me, staying true to my passion for upcycling and sustainability, which also influences my personal style.
I had the incredible opportunity to showcase my collection at Graduate Fashion Week 2024 in London, as one of five students from Coventry University selected to present on the catwalk. I was also shortlisted as one of ten students across England for both the Sustainability Award and the Fashion Innovation Award.
After presenting my work to the judges, I was honoured to win The Hilary Alexander Sustainable Trailblazer Award, recognising innovative approaches to sustainability in fashion. In the second category, I placed runner-up, but the entire experience was an unforgettable milestone.
MULTIFORM BY PATRIK PLATKO
My final bachelor’s collection Multiform focused entirely on uniforms. I wanted to celebrate the people who wear them and highlight the pride workers take in being part of an organization or institution. My goal was also to reimagine uniform design, giving it a fresh and creative twist by using accessories in new ways.
I designed six outfits, each representing a different profession: football and motorcycle uniforms, police and military uniforms, and finally, a tailor and a chef. I named the collection Multiform because the word itself means having many forms or variations, which perfectly reflects my concept. I wanted to show that uniforms can be both functional and highly fashionable.
To keep my work sustainable, I created the entire collection using only existing clothing. Nearly everything, including accessories, came from second-hand platforms like Vinted and eBay. Sustainability is very important to me, and I believe that old and unwanted clothing can always be transformed into something new and exciting which is exactly what I aimed to do with this collection.
My Multiform collection won the Silver Prize at Graduate Fashion Week 2024, a huge honor that recognized my innovative approach to uniform design and sustainability as the second best collection of the 2024 class in the UK. Being awarded second place among so many talented designers was an incredible moment and I am grateful for the experience.
