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Success for Sarah in China final

Success for Sarah in China final

Nottingham College Art and Design (Fashion) graduate, Sarah Gotheridge, has been named runner-up in the grand final of the SDC (Society of Dyers and Colourists) International Design Competition in China.

Talented Sarah, 46, who graduated with a first-class degree from the College in June earlier this year and is now studying a Masters at Nottingham Trent University, flew to Fujian Province last month to represent the UK at the event, where her designs were judged against 13 other finalists from around the world.

The announcement was made at a prestigious awards event held as part of an international conference in Xiamen, China. The conference and awards ceremony included an exhibition of the finalists’ work and were attended by more than 200 international delegates from industry and academia.

The International Design Competition is SDC’s annual flagship contest, engaging with hundreds of students, universities and designers globally. This year’s theme was Colour and Nature, and the final took place as part of an international conference, Colouring the Future – A Sustainable Development of the Fashion Industry.

It was Sarah’s 1930’s-inspired red carpet evening gown that caught the eye of the judges in the national final earlier this year, and which secured her a place at the international final. The stunning full-length garment, which Sarah designed and produced herself from scratch, is made from a crepe material and scattered with brightly coloured flowers, animals and insects, including chameleons, ladybirds, butterflies and monkeys.

Sarah said:

“It was an absolute honour to represent Nottingham College and the UK in the final. The standard of work from thirteen different countries was incredible, and I was absolutely astounded to be named runner-up. To be honest I was just happy to be there and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know my fellow contestants - we had a wonderful time together.

“The SDC organised a fantastic programme of events and we saw beautiful sites and learnt so much about the fashion and textile industry. The whole time I was there I kept having to pinch myself, I still can’t quite believe it all happened. I really have had an amazing year which has opened opportunities I never dreamed possible. I shall be forever grateful to Nottingham College for encouraging me to enter the contest, and for the help and support of my tutors throughout my course.”

Tracy Cochrane, Marketing Director at SDC, commented:

“It was a great pleasure to meet all the finalists in this year’s SDC International Design Competition. Particular congratulations to our winner and runners up. All three produced stand-out entries.

“The aim of the competition is education, and our hosts in China had put in place a fantastic schedule which included visits to local textile enterprises. The whole experience of visiting China has benefitted the finalists personally and professionally. We wish them all the best for the future.”

Pornpimon Wichaiwong, a student from Chiang Rai Rajabhat University in Thailand, was the overall winner, with her entry titled ‘Save Amazon’.

Picture: Competition finalists (Sarah, second from left)

 


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