Gabrielle Taylor is a Womenswear Designer that has just graduated from Kingston University with First Class Honours. After closing her Universities show at Graduate fashion week with an overwhelming response she is now looking to enter the Fashion workplace.

Not originally from an Artistic background she studied Biochemistry at Leeds University, and after gaining a certificate in Higher Education she left to pursue a more creative direction. Gabrielle enrolled herself on an Art Foundation that she completed with a Distinction before starting at Kingston University.

During her time at Kingston she interned for renowned designers such as Giles and Marios Schwab in London as well as Zac Posen in New York. Gabrielle’s experience however was not limited to just clothing with her also under taking an internship with the accessory designer Husam El Odeh in London. During Gabrielle’s second year at Kingston she won the Brooks Brother’s Design competition and undertook a paid design placement in New York where she designed for the Womenswear mainline and Black Fleece range.

Whilst undertaking placements throughout her time at University Gabrielle developed her technical skills and gained a good comprehension of fit and feminine tailoring. She also obtained a sound foundation for the understanding of fashion as both a creative industry and a business.
Gabrielle’s graduate collection was designed to flatter and enhance the female form. Based on a ‘Merry Widow’ the collection centered around eccentric and well-groomed women, unpredictable and with the potential for self-destruction. A ‘Merry Widow’ is seductive and dangerous, powerful and image obsessed, this caricature marries for money, and her behavior knows no boundaries.

The collection, presented at Graduate Fashion Week, focused upon fit, texture and construction and offered a luxurious feel. Gabrielle’s collection was completed with the use of exquisite sponsored fabrics from Jakob Schlaepfer in Zurich and sparkling Swarovski beads. Gabrielle also designed the sumptuous handbags that accompanied the collection.

“My inspiration was the female predator that is always on the lookout for her next financier, seduction being her initial strategy and clothing being her lethal weapon,” Gabrielle, 24, said. 
“It’s feminine without being girly – a classic yet sexy look.”

Gabrielle is currently interning within the design team at Top Shop head office in London whilst she continues to look for a design assistant role within a luxury fashion brand.