This year GSA’s Fashion Show collectively celebrates the achievements of all students studying BA(Hons) Fashion Design at The Glasgow School of Art. The live catwalk show saw graduating students’ debut, for the first time, their bold new designs within The Reid Gallery space, which embody creative freedom and diversity towards their individual interests and aspirations.
All four year groups present new work together; Year 2 presented on the catwalk garments comprising two contrasting projects under the title Juxtaposition, white jersey garments drape, stretch, and adapt to the body, while dark, structural forms dictate and redefine conventional silhouettes; Year 3 present under the title Outerwear Project; taking inspiration from the design history of Harris Tweed textiles, designers created contemporary takes on classics like the Crombie Coat and the Inverness cape. Year 1 students displayed their working process in an exhibition of drawings and illustrations. Highlights of the graduating student’s catwalk show include new designs informed by multiple themes, materials, personal experiences and rich aesthetic references.
Highlights of the graduating students catwalk show include new designs informed by multiple themes, materials, personal experiences and rich aesthetic references.
Tarika Kinney’s collection Progeny pays tribute to the matriarchal lineage shaping the designer’s identity, interweaving memory, movement, and modernity. Each piece emphasises craftsmanship and the intimate bond between garment and wearer, reflecting the cultural essence of Irish and Indian summers of Kinney’s childhood. With a commitment to sustainability, the collection repurposes deadstock materials, transforming discarded textiles into innovative forms where every material element is carefully selected to honour its past while embracing rebirth. Techniques like heat pressing and intricate knit methods create texture and depth, inviting personal connections. Through hands-on creation and intergenerational knowledge, Progeny challenges fast fashion, embracing the slow to redefine deliberate design.
Lauren Gunning’s collection Quarrelsome Dames pays homage to the powerful women unjustly persecuted during the Scottish witch trials – particularly the fierce spirit of Lucia Fearful. Each piece embodies resilience and autonomy, reimagining historical corsetry as a form of armour symbolising strength and reclaiming autonomy from societal oppression. The garments blend the elegance of corsets with the rebellious edge of biker jackets, celebrating the fierce self-expression of rock ‘n’ roll. Crafted from natural fibres, including silks and organza, and dyed with plant-based hues, the collection channels the essence of the modern witch and her symbiotic relationship with nature. Gunning’s designs capture the duality of strength and vulnerability, inviting women to embrace their mystique and liberate their spirits.
Hester Greenough’s collection Eternal Girlhood explores the connection between Victorian-era porcelain dolls and the shared experiences of women across generations, developing a perspective which reveals a universal narrative of lost innocence, often marked by the transitions of puberty, sexuality, and maturity. Engaging with her female friends has deepened this inquiry, prompting reflections on the reclamation of femininity and sisterhood. To demonstrate these themes, the Greenough employs draping and tailored manipulation techniques to create structured silhouettes that embody the complexity and connectivity of the female experience. Inspired by nature and the countryside, the collection features embroidery and prints that evoke childhood memories. Committed to sustainability, the Greenough utilises natural fibres and dead-stock fabrics to design sustainably, honouring both the land and her own heritage.
Duncan Brown’s Dressing Above your Station explores the interplay of identity and personal growth through clothing, reflecting on a working-class background marked by tradition and practicality. Inspired by workwear’s durability and understated elegance, Brown emphasises his working-class roots, while celebrating individuality. Each garment represents a legacy of labour, resilience, and pride, stressing utility without sacrificing individuality. By integrating minimalist design principles – clean lines and neutral tones – Brown creates an everyday wardrobe that merges tradition with modernity, connecting Brown to his heritage. His vision reimagines denim as knitwear, redefining its form while preserving its essence of strength and functionality, showcasing his journey of personal evolution through fashion.
Fatima Benjellon’s L’Archive 25 collection is an homage to the artistry of craftsmanship and the power of collaboration, deeply influenced by personal archives that originally inspired her to journey to Glasgow to study fashion. Drawing deeply from her Moroccan heritage and poignant family memories, especially from her aunt’s atelier in Fes, Benjellon’s journey begins with the beloved kaftans she received each Eid. This collection draws upon her treasured heirloom jewellery, bangles, textiles, and nostalgic family photographs, celebrating the vibrant colours and intricate dye techniques that define them. The silhouettes and jewellery pieces reflect the essence of Jean Besancenot’s iconic Costume de Maroc, highlighting the profound historical significance and cultural richness of Moroccan fashion.
“The BA(Hons) Fashion Design programme fosters a diverse, creative learning environment where students can develop into confident, specialised fashion designers” says Julia Maclean-Evans, Programme Leader BA (Hons) Fashion Design.
“This year’s graduating students have imaginatively honoured and learned from fashion and cultural traditions whilst looking to the future, learning to balance originality of concept with design viability. Many have also used their role as emergent designers to shape and lead on ethical, sustainable and responsible fashion design practices.”
Always one of the highlights of the calendar, GSA Fashion Show gives a first sight of some of the future stars of the Fashion world. The 2025 Fashion Show is sponsored by Moda.
The garments and portfolio of supporting work from this year’s graduate fashion show can be seen on display at the Reid Building, during The Glasgow School of Art’s 2025 Degree Show, which runs from Friday 30 May to Sunday 8 June across the entire GSA campus.
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NOTES FOR EDITORS
About The Glasgow School of Art (GSA):
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading independent university-level institutions for education and research in the visual creative disciplines. Our studio-based, specialist, practice-led teaching, learning and research draw talented individuals with a shared passion for visual culture and creative production from all over the world.
Originally founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, the School’s history can be traced back to 1753 and the establishment of the Foulis Academy delivering a European-style art education. Today, the GSA is an international community of over 3500 students and staff across architecture, design, digital, fine art and innovation in our campuses in Glasgow and Altyre (in the Scottish Highlands) and a thriving Open Studio programme delivering non-degree provision to over 1500 students annually. www.gsa.ac.uk
About Moda Group:
Moda Group is a vertically integrated investor, developer and operator of large-scale rental neighbourhoods. Moda has a pipeline of 24,000 homes across build-to-rent, family homes and student, with a combined GDV of £6.8 billion, and recently opened its first Glasgow neighbourhood: Moda, Holland Park.
Focusing on long-term stewardship, Moda partners with global institutional investors to provide unique access to the UK rental market at scale. Moda’s mission is to pioneer positive change across the rental landscape, delivering spaces and experiences for people to prosper, evolve and live better.
Moda’s vision is to create the world’s best rental experience. A better version of living; they call it life 2.0. That doesn’t just mean investing in next generation homes and spaces, it means investing in innovation and excellence across wellness, technology, ESG and customer service.
As custodians of the communities they operate, they work with a range of market leading partners to deliver services and experiences that create genuine social impact, helping people live happier, healthier lives. www.modagroup.com
