'Students have truly excelled'- University of Lancashire celebrates most successful ever Graduate Fashion Week

The University of Lancashire has secured major national recognition at Graduate Fashion Week (GFW) 2026, with multiple award wins, competition victories and finalist placements.

GFW showcases emerging fashion talent from around the world and is often a springboard into successful careers within the industry.

2026 marks the University of Lancashire’s most successful year ever at GFW, with final year students from across both fashion design and fashion promotion and marketing courses winning top awards at the prestigious annual London event.

The University secured several major fashion design wins, with Abbie Jarvis named winner of the GFW Zandra Rhodes Fashion Printed Textile Award, in recognition of excellence in print innovation and design, and Liliana Rochado received the GFW Hilary Alexander Sustainable Trailblazer Award, celebrating forward-thinking approaches to sustainable fashion.

Abbie said: “My project was inspired by the eclectic and eccentric tastes of my family and home.

“I feel this collection really speaks to who I am as a person and designer and so to win an award for this is a massive confidence boost and feels very special. Competing against so many universities with big names in the industry can be daunting so it great to know that we are being noticed."

Fellow fashion design student Amy Brown won both the Maxxam Textiles x GFF and Liberty x GFF industry competitions after impressing judges with her outfits created answering briefs from both companies.

The Swim Club: Volume 1, which drew inspiration from vintage swimwear and sportswear designs, was the inspiration for the Maxxam x GFF competition and Salvador Dali’s dreamscape paintings inspired her Liberty’s winning outfit.

Amy’s menswear collection was also selected as ‘Best in Show’ for the final Gala Catwalk Show.

Another industry-led competition winner was fashion design student Naomi Robinson, who triumphed in the Zalando x GFF Circularity Competition.

Naomi focused on the bridal industry for her entry, developing a sustainable model for rented bridalwear and a collection with adjustable fit garments to reduce waste.

Naomi said: “It feels fantastic to win and have four years of hard work recognised by Graduate Fashion Week. As part of my prize, I am receiving one to one career mentoring to help develop my project into a business plan and hopefully set up my own brand.”

Fashion promotion student Niamh Frith was crowned winner of the GFW Fashion Marketing Award, highlighting her outstanding strategic and creative approach to fashion communication.

Niamh won the award for her project Selfridges Re-Claimed, a hypothetical six month immersive jewellery pop-up powered by RESELFRIDGES in response to the increasing demand for in-person immersive shopping experiences, pre-loved, re-worked and bespoke jewellery with an addition of the option to trade in metals.

She said: “Winning the award for me was a genuine pinch me moment. I spent so many months working and developing this campaign so it felt incredibly surreal to have this recognised, especially by the Fashion Marketing Award.

“This award will assist in shaping career opportunities and as fashion marketing is an industry I’d love to work in, it aligns perfectly. Additionally, the positive feedback and comments I received on the back of this have not only enhanced my confidence but confirms that I can truly deliver.”

Commenting on LinkedIn, Fashion Marketing Award judge Josef Barrowclift, from Purple Mountain Observatory, said: “A particular highlight for me was the work of winner Niamh Frith, whose project around a jewellery rework hub for Selfridges was supported by an exceptional depth of research and presented a concept that felt genuinely ready for market! Congrats!”

This year’s results mark one of the University of Lancashire’s strongest performances at Graduate Fashion Week, showcasing the depth of talent across both design and marketing disciplines.

Fashion promotion and marketing course leader Eve Astle said: “Seeing our students recognised at this level is incredibly rewarding. Our course is designed in close alignment with industry, ensuring students graduate not only with strong creative ideas but with the commercial awareness and strategic skills employers are looking for.

“Niamh and Naomi’s award wins, alongside the breadth of shortlistings across the cohort, demonstrates how well prepared our students are to enter and succeed in a highly competitive global industry.”

Fashion design senior lecturer Christopher Creighton-Molloy added: “This has been an exceptional year for our fashion design students. To see them recognised across so many major awards, including wins in textiles, sustainability and industry-led competitions, is a real testament to their innovation, technical ability and dedication.

“We work hard to keep the curriculum current, reflecting the fast-paced changes within the fashion industry and this is demonstrated in the weeks successes. Graduate Fashion Week provides a platform for the very best emerging designers, and our students have truly excelled on a national stage.”

The full list of winners and finalists

Fashion Design GFW winners

Zandra Rhodes Fashion Printed Textile Award – Abbie Jarvis

Hilary Alexander Sustainable Trailblazer Award – Liliana Rochado

Fashion Design industry competitions winners

Zalando x GFF Circularity Competition – Naomi Robinson

Maxxam Textiles x GFF Competition – Amy Brown

Liberty x GFF Competition – Amy Brown

Liberty x GFF Competition – Abbie Jarvis

Best in Show selected for Gala Show – Amy Brown

Fashion Design GFW Highly Commended

Accessories & Footwear Award - Hannah Maria Ryan

Fashion Design GFW finalists

Zandra Rhodes Fashion Printed Textile Award – Yolanda Cookson-Sanz

Zandra Rhodes Fashion Printed Textile Award – Abbie Jarvis

The F&F Catwalk Award – Julia Szlama

Surface Textiles Award – Naomi Robinson

Fashion Portfolio Award – Yolanda Cookson-Sanz

Fashion Portfolio Award – Amy Brown

Childrenswear Award – Naomi Robinson

Childrenswear Award – Abbie Jarvis

Fashion Promotion and Marketing GFW winner

Fashion Marketing Award - Niamh Frith

Fashion Promotion and Marketing GFW shortlist

FXF Marketing Campaign Competition - Alice Holden

FXF Marketing Campaign Competition - Niamh Frith

FXF Marketing Campaign Competition - Lilie Glenister

New Business Award - Lillie Glenister

New Business Award - Niamh Frith

Fashion Marketing Pitch - Niamh Frith

Fashion Communication Portfolio - Mia Allonby

Considered Award - Niamh Frith

Fashion Innovation Award - Niamh Frith