Fashion students in the running for a Tu at Sainsbury’s scholarship at this year’s Graduate Fashion Week

Two Fashion students from the University of Northampton are in the running to win a paid scholarship and launch their capsule collection under the guidance of Tu at Sainsbury’s as part of this year’s Graduate Fashion Week.

Bethany Martin and Elena Hristova are currently in their final year of the BA (Hons) Fashion course and are two of only 10 students that have made the shortlist for the Tu Scholarship that could see them bag a paid scholarship worth around £19,000 and work closely with Tu’s design team.

Bethany has been shortlisted in the Menswear category after submitting work from her final major project, which will be featured on the catwalk at this year’s Graduate Fashion Week.

She said: “I was delighted to find out that I have been shortlisted and have found the whole experience really interesting so far. We were invited to an assessment day at Sainsbury’s Head Office in Coventry which was great as we were able to learn about how the company operated and gain a real insight into the industry.

“I think this experience has been really beneficial to myself as a graduate beginning to step out into the working fashion industry and I am excited to see what the future holds.”

Elena is one of the few chosen in the Womenswear category and will also have feature her work featured at Graduate Fashion Week.

She said: “I am very happy to have made the shortlist along with other students from universities who are taking part in Graduate Fashion Week. It makes me proud that my work has been recognised alongside some of the most talented students across the UK.”

Emmeline Child, Programme Leader for Fashion and Textiles at the University of Northampton, said: “We are delighted that two of our students have been shortlisted in this national competition. It highlights the strength and range of students we have here at the University.”

The winners will be announced on Wednesday 7 June at the Graduate Fashion Week Gala Awards Show.

Graduate Fashion Week has been firmly established as the world’s leading event for fashion graduates and this year takes place from Sunday 4 to Wednesday 7 June at the Truman Brewery in Shoreditch. The University of Northampton’s Catwalk Show takes place on Tuesday 6 June at 12:30pm.