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Anisa Crowned Young Designer of the Year at Clothes Show Live!

A Walsall College HNC Fashion student was crowned Young Designer of the Year at the Clothes Show Live on Monday 7 December 2009.

Anisa Petkar (18) was selected as the overall winner from just ten finalists across the country, in the competition that is run conjunction with Internationale, to give fashion students a chance to showcase their designs live onstage at Clothes Show Live in Birmingham. Also competing on the day was Ella Lucas, fellow Walsall College HNC Fashion student, who also made it to the final of the competition.

Not only has Anisa secured the prestigious title of Young Designer of the Year, she has also won £2000 prize money, an industry placement and a donation towards Walsall College’s Fashion Department.

Speaking about her design, Anisa Petkar said: “My inspiration for the Christmas Party dress mainly came from other designers from various Fashion Weeks launching their A/W 09 collections. I have created a smart dress, with a chiffon blouse, inspired by Christopher Kane. I have attached this blouse to a short skirt created out of imitation leather discs, which makes this dress unique and the dress to be wearing this season”.

She added: “I am completely ecstatic to have won the Young Designer of the Year competition, I didn’t expect to win at all. I’ve only being doing Fashion at Walsall College since September – it’s taken a lot of hard work but it’s really paid off! The competition was like nothing I’d ever done before. It got quite hectic and nerve racking when I was dressing the models for the catwalk show but it was a lot of fun”.

Walsall College Fashion Tutor Lorna Rattigan said, “We are all delighted Anisa has won Young Designer of the Year in the national Clothes Show Live competition. We always encourage our students to embrace their creativity and explore innovative ideas that stand out from the crowd. Entering competitions such as this one are an excellent way for students to get real experience in working to a brief and prepares them for the competitive fashion industry”.


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