Menswear that spotlights the economic crisis in Zimbabwe features alongside a clothing collection that addresses ocean pollution in this fashion-focused VDF school show by the University of East London.

There are a total of 10 projects in the digital exhibition, all completed by students in their final year of the BA (Hons) Textile Design and BA (Hons) Fashion Design courses taught at the UK university.

While enrolled on the courses, students are invited to "explore heritage craft skills alongside digital media" to develop their own textiles, products and accessory collections for both fashion and interiors.

University of East London

School: University of East London
Courses: BA (Hons) Textile Design and BA (Hons) Fashion Design
Tutors: Beatrice Newman (Fashion Design course leader) and Lesley Robertson (course leader Textile Design)
Instagram: @fashionuel

School statement:

"We are East London's leading fashion and textiles community and pride ourselves on our diversity, inclusivity and creative innovation. This selection of work focuses on some of the amazing collections from our final year degree students. From cultural storytelling to experimental 2D and 3D printing, imaginative fabric manipulation and sustainable textile exploration, we believe our students are pioneers in their individual field.

"Our popular and well-regarded courses, taught by industry professionals, are having an increasingly big impact on the exhilarating and competitive world of fashion and textiles. Fashion is a fast-paced, hands-on course amid the creative hub of East London, preparing students to take their place in the world of commercial fashion. Students learn prototype processes from concept through to construction and product development."

"The Textiles course focuses on textile futures, embracing creative and sustainable design using new technologies, bio textiles and new materials. Students have the opportunity to explore heritage craft skills alongside digital media to create innovative textiles, products and accessories for both fashion and interiors. Both courses offer options to work collaboratively within a highly creative community using our fully equipped fashion and textiles workshops, studios, Mac lab and material archive resource.

"We were hoping to showcase our final collections at Graduate Fashion Week earlier in the summer, but unfortunately circumstances have prevented the physical event from happening. Instead, we present to you a snapshot of some of the wonderful work our students have created this year – the class of 2020."

Ionina Agostinho Sanca

"Ionina Agostinho Sanca explores the cultural heritage of Guinea-Bissau to create innovative textile manipulations and sculptural silhouettes in this final fashion textiles collection."

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Magdalena Zocholl

"Experiments with recycled materials, to better understand the struggles faced when introducing new sustainable textiles to the fashion industry, feature in this textiles collection by Magdalena Zocholl."

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Shahana Santhirasakaram

"The Sri Lankan genocide through the civil war is explored with heartfelt emotion using innovative print, illustration and embroidery techniques in Shahana Santhirasakaram's textiles collection."

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Elegija Bileviciute

"A photograph of Elegija Bileviciute's grandmother from 1967 inspired this fashion textiles collection, which explores the history of stripes and shirting through the innovative use of mono-printing and oversized silhouettes."

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Somaya Ahmed

"Somaya Ahmed's experiments with 2D print, bio textiles and 3D printing techniques led to the creation of this sculptural collection for fashion and accessories."

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Zandile Ndebele

"This exciting contemporary menswear collection by Zandile Ndebele explores the economic crisis in Zimbabwe utilising dynamic silhouettes and vibrant prints."

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Elisa Messi

"This womenswear collection by Elisa Messi explores ocean pollution and plastic waste to highlight the chain reaction of events caused by corruption."

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Beatrice D'Alessandro

"Based on the concept of skin diseases such as vitiligo, Beatrice D'Alessandro's detailed womenswear collection aims to promote skin disease as accepted normality in society and fashion."

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Natercia Cardoso Lino

"This vibrant womenswear collection by Natercia Cardoso Lino is inspired by the heritage, culture, dance and costume of São Tomé and Príncipe."

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Jessica Roberts

"Based on childhood memories from growing up in the small mining town of Barnsley, this innovative collection is a 'love letter' to Jessica Roberts' grandparents."

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Virtual Design Festival's student and schools initiative offers a simple and affordable platform for student and graduate groups to present their work during the coronavirus pandemic. Click here for more details.