FASHION designers who trained at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) have created officially the best graduate collection of the year.

Alumni of AUB’s fashion school took seven prizes at London Graduate Fashion Week, including the gold award.

Graduate Fashion Week, the largest of its kind in the world, takes over London’s East End Truman Brewery each year to showcase the best student talent in four days of catwalk shows.

The shows are followed by an awards ceremony, with judging by industry leaders.

The Christopher Bailey Gold Award went to AUB graduate Rebecca Wilson for her menswear, womenswear and children’s wear collection, inspired by Victorian working class clothing and family portraits. The award comes with £10,000 for her and £2,000 for the university.

The 22-year-old is now in discussion with major fashion houses about her career.

She said: “Graduate Fashion Week is an amazing opportunity and platform for talented students, not just in the UK, but across the globe, to showcase their skills and work.

“This week has allowed me to connect with industry experts that I would never have had the chance to meet without the event. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to win such an admired and respected award.

“I remember watching last year’s winner, Halina North, receive the prize and thinking what an incredible achievement, and now to have experienced it myself, I am totally overwhelmed.

“The guidance and encouragement from my tutors and technicians at AUB has been incredible. A fashion degree is both mentally and physically challenging, but having constant support and tutorials has allowed me to reach my full potential.”

The other AUB graduates winning awards were as follows.

Vivienne Westwood & Lectra Award: Alice Kiernander.

Mothercare Kidswear Award: Sarah Fielding.

Clarks Footwear Award: Charlie Mein.

Publication Award: Emma Dearling.

Debenhams & Henry Holland Design Award: Elizabeth Welland.

Sakara McShane was first runner-up in the Bon Marche Fashion For All Award.

Iain Archer, leader of AUB’s courses in fashion and fashion branding and communication, said: “As a team of staff we are beyond proud of the multiple achievements and accolades the 2018 graduates received. With over 5,000 graduate bodies of work shown at Graduate Fashion Week across multiple fashion disciplines, their talent, dedication, commitment and endless hours of hard work has paid off and they can now start to reap their rewards, which are well earned and deserved.

“For Becky, winning the gold award is acknowledgement of her incredible talent, commitment, creativity and dedication. This award will open endless doors for her and elevates her career opportunities at another level. We are very excited to follow her future.”