Harrods and British Fashion Council Colleges Council Competition

Harrods are delighted to announce that a winner has been selected for the Harrods Graduate Competition 2011 in partnership with the British Fashion Council (BFC) Colleges Council. Kate Wallis from the University of Westminster has won a year’s paid internship working alongside the Harrods own label Buying Team on design, development and the retail experience.

Course tutors from many of the UK’s leading design courses, who are members of the BFC’s Colleges Council, nominated the strongest portfolios from this graduating year for consideration. Kate was chosen to undertake a one month training placement alongside two other graduates, Hannah Cooper from from Newport University and Sarah Seaton-Burridge from The Royal College, learning different aspects of the Harrods business.

A senior panel of judges including Anne Tyrrell, Chair of the BFC Colleges Council, Caroline Rush, CEO, BFC and Marigay McKee, Fashion and Beauty Director, Harrods chose the winning graduates based on their portfolio, written case study and final presentation that not only shows exceptional design ability but also encapsulates the Harrods customer and illustrates product styling that meets the customer's needs.

Caroline Rush, CEO, BFC, commented “The BFC Colleges Council is vital for nurturing the young design talents in the UK, like Kate. The Harrods Graduate Competition offers invaluable experience and insight into the fashion industry and we’d like to thank Harrods for their ongoing support of the Colleges Council.”

Marigay McKee, Fashion and Beauty Director - Harrods, said; "I am thrilled that for the second year, Harrods in partnership with the BFC will offer a talented graduate the opportunity to experience the fashion business first hand. Kate’s final presentation perfectly captured the Harrods customer and we loved her commercial designs and beautiful illustrations. We look forward to Kate joining the team.”

The British Fashion Council is a not for profit limited company set up in 1983 to promote British Fashion and co-ordinate this promotion through fashion weeks, exhibitions and showcasing events. Now in its nineteenth year, the BFC Colleges Council aims to develop links between Britain's top fashion colleges and the industry. 33 Colleges are members of the BFC Colleges Council, to see a full college listing please visit www.britishfashioncouncil.com