MYFDA 2009 Choreographer Profile - Kadi

Kadi is a mulit talented individual from the West Midlands. The choreographer for the MYFDA 2009, she is also a finalist for Miss Black Britain 2009. Kadi first started modelling over 10 years ago and appeared in Black Beauty Hair magazine and from then was involved in a few fashion showcases. Kadi stopped modelling to pursue her education where she completed her degree in Psychology and Media in addition to writing and performing music. Kadi's latest shows have included the Mahogany Bridal Show and being involved with the Top Model of Colour 2009.

Helen Mary Showcases at the MYFDA

Helen Mary began through the love for luxurious materials and bringing these together to create an exclusive design, allowing women to literally feel beautiful.

After designing for high street retailers and overseeing mass production garment samples in The Far East, Helen Mary decided she wanted to offer more individual and gracious hand made garments within the UK and so created her own exclusive women's wear collections. Attention to detail with the use of Swarovski crystal fastenings and detailing with contrasting beautiful fabrics is what has gained Helen Mary her signature style for understated elegance. All of Helen Mary's garments are designed and hand made in the UK.

To see items from the Helen Mary collection click here.

The Judges Are Announced!

By Becca Mulhearn
This year we have some amazing judges for the Midlands Young Fashion Designer Awards, make sure you check out their work.

Gavin Douglas – Fashion Designer

Birmingham born Douglas is a “dynamic, young designer who carefully researches, designs and crafts each individual piece of clothing, ensuring its uniqueness and quality.” He has become well known in the fashion industry drawing critical acclaim from some of the most influential names in fashion. In 2006 he won first place at the Fashion Fringe designer awards in London and showcased a full collection at London Fashion Week in 2007.

Sulaimi Brookman – Fashion Designer

Brookman was born in Singapore and knew from an early age he was destined for a career in the fashion industry. Due to his experiences working in a Versace boutique he now primarily focuses on turning haute couture gowns into ready to wear pieces all the time remembering the woman he is designing for is key to the process; flattering all women’s shapes and sizes. Brookman has now moved to Birmingham and his business is based from a studio in the Custard Factory. Part of the inspiration for his new collection came from French queen Marie Antoinette, combined with themes from the film Dangerous Liaisons. Check out his amazing collection by clicking here.

Helen Parker– Me Myself & I Online Boutique owner

Me, Myself & I sells fashion and accessory pieces from an array of independent designers on an online web shop. Using e-commerce guarantees the collections advertised online become available to a global market, opening up the sales essentially, worldwide. Many of the designers support local manufacturing using organic fabrics and hand sourced vintage materials.

Designer Profile - Taijal Mistry

By Becca Mulhearn

Taejal studied Fashion Design at Birmingham City University and went on to become a fashion trend researcher in London. However, with the desire to become more creative Taejal went on to work for an independent designer in Birmingham and is now an Assistant Designer for a major supplier. This has both enabled Taejal to gain valuable experience but also determine that fashion is definitely the industry she belongs in.

Her collection is called ‘Gold Lion’ and Taejal hopes to inhabit femininity by using simple fluid shapes. The overall look combines layering and “encourages the individual to be experimental.” Taejal has been inspired by drawing and designing from a young age and has found that fashion enabled her to pursue her interest. She is constantly looking for new ideas and innovative pieces and is inspired by designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Dries Van Noten and Sophia Kokosalaki. Travelling, meeting new people and seeing new places is important to Taejal’s development as a designer and the opportunity to be a part of the MYFDA makes her feel “enthused about her future.”

Designer Profile - Sophia Miller

By Becca Mulhearn

Sophia is studying for a degree in Fashion Studies which has developed and maintained her skills in both manufacture and design. Sophia’s preferred area is the designing of new garments and is inspired by the work of Elle Saab and the label Preen by Thornton Bregazzi.

However, Sophia also believes that inspiration can “come from anything to make it new and original” and not just the work of existing designers, which gives her own collection a very unique feel. She has produced a collection for the ‘Evening Wear’ category called ‘Egyptian Gold’ which is motivated from the Egyptian period, as she uses gold tones and sandy reds and has focused on the neck-line, a well recognised feature from Egyptian history. By sourcing historical cuts and styles Sophia was able to create a unique and purposeful collection. She is “looking forward to making her designs and bringing them to life.”

Designer Profile - Siobhan Noon

By Becca Mulhearn

Siobhan is studying a Fashion studies degree at the University of Lincoln and has been pursuing an interest in the fashion industry for many years. Her collection for the ‘Ready to Wear’ category is called ‘Modern Geisha’ and is heavily influenced by Japanese street style and culture. This is no surprise as Siobhan particularly enjoys researching different cultures and societies to gain inspiration.

Siobhan studied origami to stimulate ideas and used the folds and pleats she learnt in her garments. She was also enthused by the ‘Lolita’ look and used legwarmers and over the knee socks to portray this. Siobhan finds satisfaction in pushing her boundaries to test her own capabilities. She enjoys the feeling of creating something unique and is looking forward to meeting “likeminded designers” at the MYFDA and believes it will be a very “memorable and valuable experience.”

Designer Profile - Reah Jervis

By Becca Mulhearn

Reah has recently graduated from university with a degree in Fashion Studies and is influenced by all aspects of 40s and 50s fashion. She feels the styles and techniques demanded respect and esteem which is something she aspires for her own garments and her own collection ‘Elephtheria’ showcases this. Her motivation comes from the freedom she finds in designing clothes and the process of starting from scratch to eventually having a finished piece inspired entirely from her own image. She has already achieved success within the fashion industry producing a collection for shops based in Burton and London and has had designs sold in Japan and America. She is “honoured to have been chosen as a finalist.”