Duo Wins UPS Design Contest

London, June 11, 2009

Modular Collection Wows Judges in Student Fashion Competition

UPS and the Royal College of Art (RCA) today revealed the winners of a design competition that challenged graduate fashion students to interpret the concept of 'free movement'.

Talented duo Robert Huth and Simone Sommer, who are studying menswear and womenswear respectively, will be named winners of the competition at tonight’s annual Royal College of Art Graduate Fashion Gala, attended by new talent and senior figures from the fashion and retail industries.

In early 2009, young designers in their first year of the RCA Fashion Master of Arts course were offered the opportunity to create clothing or accessory designs that combine the concept of ‘free movement’ with the distinctive elements of the UPS brand, culture and heritage.

Robert and Simone’s joint effort impressed the judges with a collection of versatile unisex outfits designed to meet the needs of the urban traveller. The multi-purpose garments feature an innovative blend of zips and adjustable buckles which combine to create an array of practical sets suitable for both men and women. A single move transforms a man’s knee length coat into a skirt and ladies cropped leather jacket.

Nick Basford, marketing director, UPS UK & Ireland, said, “We were captivated by Robert and Simone’s attention to detail, the wearable and versatile nature of their collection and their comprehensive interpretation of the brief. Quality and flexibility are key elements of the UPS brand so we particularly appreciated Robert and Simone’s ability to translate a universal concept into simple and slick garments with a twist.”

UPS and the RCA will also announce two competition runners-up at tonight’s Gala Event, selected from a shortlist of nine designs which are currently being exhibited at the Royal College of Art’s Upper Gulbenkian Gallery in London.

Footwear design student Damion le Cappelain created all weather, all terrain boots, inspired by 4th century armour, in a contemporary sportswear style. Millinery student Zara Gorman designed a collection of conceptual headwear all in black leather, inspired by aviation turbines and propellers. The hats can be easily flat-packed for trouble-free transportation.

This years’ winners and runners-up will receive a cash prize from a UPS representative at tonight’s event, where their designs will be exhibited alongside a catwalk show of final collections from second year RCA postgraduate students.

Professor Wendy Dagworthy, Head of Fashion at the RCA, added, “We are very proud of the creativity demonstrated by the winning students. Their designs were not only original and artistic, but also comprehensively responded to the brief, a skill that will be very important throughout their careers.”

The RCA design competition follows successful fashion partnerships undertaken by UPS in Belgium, China, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the US. The support UPS provides to young designers reflects the company’s commitment to serve the fashion, textile and luxury industry. In a world where brand value must not be compromised, UPS provides a wide range of customised shipping and logistics services to help fashion professionals manage the complexities of bringing their designs from concept to catwalks, retailers and wardrobes worldwide.

The winning and shortlisted creations can be viewed online at www.upsalamode.com.