A burst of COLOUR!

A COVENTRY fashion student will add a splash of colour to this year’s Midlands Fashion Awards after her bright, balloon-themed collection was chosen for the annual catwalk competition.

Sophie Randall has been named as one of five finalists in the Emerging Designers category for this year’s awards after impressing judges with her bright and bold final-year degree collection. She is now one of 42 designers who will see their creations on the catwalk in what organisers described as a “phenomenal turnout” of entries for the competition’s 11th year.

Sophie’s designs were showcased at the university earlier this year as part of Coventry University’s final-year fashion show , where models carried bunches of balloons to enhance her signature colours and style.

The 23-year-old from Bournemouth is on a three-month internship with the Excellent Fashion Co. in China where is designing clothes, and experiencing the production side of the industry.

Sophie, who will graduate in November, said: “Years of hard work have gone into this collection and it is incredible to be nominated in the fashion awards. My outfits were inspired by American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. I wanted the balloons to be part of it for a bit of fun and to create something really vibrant.

“My inspirations have changed as I’ve grown and developed myself during my time at university. Mary Katrantzou is one of my favourite designers, but also love Moschino and Jeremy Scott. Anything that is bold, bright and full of print is a winner with me.”

This year hosted by Nicky Campbell, the Midlands Fashion Awards are a leading platform for local creative talent will be held at Birmingham’s CBSO Centre on Friday, 12 October.