University of Northampton students continue to impress Pittards

Five students from the University of Northampton have been offered paid internships with luxury leather goods producer Pittards after impressing directors during a live project and presentation.

Hannah Guiver, Amna Sagir, Kyra McGuirk, Kerry Hughes and Melissa Francis were all part of a live collaborative project that involved a total of 17 students across the Fashion, Textiles for Fashion and Footwear and Accessories programmes.

Students were required to work in small consultancy teams of five to six and each included a Fashion, Textiles, and Footwear & Accessories student.

The brief was designed in collaboration with Pittards to develop a brand profile, research a chosen theme and explore their concept through to a collection outcome of three outfits, including footwear and accessories and also a limited luxury Pittards branded product.

As part of the project each team was assigned to work with a third year photography student to collaborate on a fashion shoot to create a look book and a fashion film to promote their work.

Hannah, Amna, Kyra and Kerry were all part of Team Emanon and were chosen as the winning team due to their innovative and creative leather and denim techniques used within their range of both menswear and womenswear.

In addition, Melissa Francis from Team WiWu won a special recognition for her bags and shoes collection and will join the winners on a work placement at Pittards over the summer.

Hannah Guiver said: “The Pittards live project was a great opportunity for us all. As a team we have a better understanding on fabric sourcing and how a collection is put together. Although this project was challenging at times it has been a great experience. I’m really happy that we won the competition and I’m very excited to take on an internship with Pittards.”

Kerry Hughes commented: “I found this to be a great industry project. We gained many skills, such as team work, working with people in other professions e.g. models and photographers, as well as creating our own mini collection. I am very excited our team won the competition as it gives us the opportunity to intern with Pittards for two weeks over the summer, which I am looking forward to.”

Debbie Burton, Director of Marketing at Pittards, commented: “I was extremely impressed with the standard of all projects this year. Although all very different, each was focused and delivered against the brief with a good combination of creative and commercial.

“It was a very tough decision but Team Eamanon edged it with the confidence of the proposition and innovative construction techniques that were mirrored in both fabric and leather. Also Melissa’s mix of strong design lines and handworked detail really made her accessories stand out.”

Jane Mills, Senior Lecturer in Fashion, commented: “The Pittards live industry project is a fantastic experience for students studying BA (Hons) Fashion, Textiles for Fashion and Footwear and Accessories and gives them the opportunity to work together in teams.

“The project offered students the chance to not only develop essential team working skills, but also for cross-disciplinary collaboration with the BA Photography students.

“Well done to Team Emanon for their creative use of leather in fashion clothing and also to Melissa for her ‘special recognition award” and securing an internship.”