SCOTS students are getting the chance to showcase their artistic talents at one of the fashion world’s biggest events for emerging stars.

Seventeen students studying Fashion at Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) have been selected to present their designs at Graduate Fashion Week in London.

The students’ collections draw upon a range of influences and events, including the Covid-19 pandemic and major societal issues such as cultural identity and the climate crisis.

The event will parade the work of students from leading fashion schools who are graduating in 26 different specialisms.

Graduate Fashion Week is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year after 2020’s event was scaled down and staged digitally because of the pandemic. Organisers say the show is a celebration of the enduring spirit of this year’s graduates and the sector’s up-and-coming stars.

The designs will be showcased in physical and digital events including live-streamed runway shows which will be available through the Graduate Fashion Week website.

The attendance of ECA students is supported by the St James Quarter – a new retail-led, lifestyle district – which is opening its first phase in Edinburgh’s City Centre at the end of next month.

Edinburgh students have a successful track record at Graduate Fashion Week, with many scooping major awards. Graduates from the programme have gone on to work for leading brands including Balenciaga, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Stella McCartney and Vivienne Westwood.

Sophie Walton’s collection (pictured) is inspired by the exploration of personal identity and self-expression. It combines a love of classic and contemporary tailoring, with softer knitwear pieces.

Graduate Fashion Week takes place on June 12-18 at Coal Drops Yard in London’s King’s Cross. To access the Graduate Fashion Week website go to www.graduatefashionweek.com