Graduate Fashion Week success for local student

17 June 2018

Beth wins fashion award for innovative Wonderbra campaign

A local student is setting the trend after winning an award at Graduate Fashion Week.

University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) fashion promotion student Beth Wainwright picked up the Bonmarché Fashion For All Award at the event for her ‘One Nude? How Rude!’ campaign for Wonderbra.

The 22-year-old from Maghull impressed judges with her idea to design ten nude bras to match a range of skin colours and sizes. Each bra would be named after an inspirational woman, such as former Vogue editor Alex Shulman and boxer Nicola Adams and the savvy student also came up with branding for her new product as well as a multi-platform advertising campaign.

Beth said: “During my research I came across women having to dye bras to match their skin colours and I realised there was a massive gap in the market. I came up with a product and promotional campaign for Wonderbra and thankfully it caught the eyes of the Graduate Fashion Week judges.”

"Graduate Fashion Week is such an important event that attracts big industry names so to win an award and be shortlisted for another was brilliant."

Not only did she win the Bonmarché prize at the week-long fashion showcase, Beth was also shortlisted for the Boux Avenue Lingerie Award for the same project.

The former Maricourt High School and Hugh Baird College pupil added: “Graduate Fashion Week is such an important event that attracts big industry names so to win an award and be shortlisted for another was brilliant. When they read my name out as the winner of the Bonmarché Fashion For All Award I was in complete shock and of course over the moon. It’s great acknowledgement for all the hard work I put into the project.”

Beth spent the third year of her four-year degree on placement at Liquid Agency in Liverpool where she was able to work on several campaigns.

She added: “I learned so much and absolutely loved it. I’m already applying for graduate jobs and made some great contacts at Graduate Fashion Week.”

Beth’s award-winning work will be on display at UCLan’s Preston campus until the 22 June as part of the Lancashire Arts Festival Degree Show.