A graduate exhibits her work at Cardiff Fashion Week

16 May 2024

Supported by current students, a BA Surface Pattern and Textiles graduate of UWTSD’s Swansea College of Art showcased her creative talents and entrepreneurial spirit at the recent Cardiff Fashion Week.

Lucy Ralph (BA Surface Pattern and Textiles, 2023) from Crickhowell, shone at the Fashion Village during the event. As an Artist in Residence for Swansea College of Art, Lucy proudly hosted the UWTSD stand, while garnering significant attention for her eye-catching work and fostering connections within the local design community.

Through her projects, Lucy strives to make a difference to the environment by making visible repairs and repurposing garments, lowering the consumption of fast fashion.

Her work received an enthusiastic response from visitors, sparking numerous conversations about potential collaborations, attracting attention and promotion from local media, and generating sales during the event.

As well as promoting her work, she was delighted to showcase the University at the vibrant event.

Lucy said:

“I felt proud and honoured to represent UWTSD and Surface Pattern and Textiles at Cardiff Fashion Week. It was great to be able to speak about my work in reference to my student experience, and I hope I gave visitors insight into the course.

“As a graduate, I was also pleased to be able to provide current students with the experience of attending an event like this and showcasing my personal journey from student to professional.”

Joining Lucy in representing UWTSD were first-year students Sam McGrath, Lauren Stokes and Calia Kilbo. For Sam, who comes from the United States, Cardiff Fashion Week offered a unique behind-the-scenes perspective and a chance to immerse herself in the vibrant fashion community of Wales while Lauren was amazed by the diversity of fashion created in Wales and noticed a thread of sustainability running through the works of the designers.

Lauren said: “Through this experience, I have a better understanding of the work that goes into selling your own fashion brand. I’ve also been able to make connections with brands and magazines that will hopefully evolve into opportunities in the future.”

Three women sitting behind table — First-year Surface Pattern & Textiles students at Cardiff Fashion Week 2024

For Sam, Lauren, and Calia, volunteering at Cardiff Fashion Week was an opportunity to embrace new experiences and expand their professional networks. Their key takeaways included the importance of open-mindedness, seizing opportunities for collaboration, and maintaining confidence in their work while remaining receptive to feedback.

Programme Manager of Surface Pattern and Textiles, Georgia McKie said: “It’s so encouraging that Wales based events like Cardiff Fashion Week and Swansea Fashion Week are becoming so well established. There is such a positivity surrounding new Fashion and Textiles talent, and a brilliant entrepreneurial attitude amongst so many emerging designers. The Surface Pattern and Textiles students who took part really understood this and registered the value of this experience to them in their continuing growth as designers of the future. To see graduates like Lucy taking on the role of mentor to current students is so inspiring to see.”

UWTSD is 1st in Wales and 3rd in the UK for Fashion & Textiles (The Guardian University Guide 2024). For more information on this course, visit: Surface Pattern and Textiles (Full-time) | University of Wales Trinity Saint David (uwtsd.ac.uk)