The Project 20/20 Student Design Awards finalists are going from strength to strength with the spotlight once again on University of Northampton student and the Cordura Durable Design Award winner Bethany Martin.

Back in 2016, twelve of the UK’s leading fashion and textile design students were finalists in the Project 20/20 Student Design Awards sponsored by Cordura fabric. Bethany Martin was named Cordura Durable Design Award winner at the special Professional Clothing Awards event at Excel, London for her imaginative, durable professional workwear designs.

Bethany Martin

Newly qualified with her first-class degree, Bethany Martin first captured Cordura brand’s attention when she was a walkover winner in the 2016 Project 20/20 Student Design Awards. This year she’s gone on to win acclaim with a collection at the London Graduate Fashion Week, with all her creations crafted in Cordura fabrics.

Now she’s followed up by taking the top award at Fashanne 2017 – a major new competition in the East Midlands for UK fashion students. At Salt Lake City’s Summer Outdoor Retailer Show 2017, her designs were showcased from portfolio to finished garments as part of Cordura brand’s Destination Durability young designer feature. 

Winning garment range

Her original winning Project 20/20 garment range was for professionals working outdoors such as landscape gardeners and environmental architects. “This project has stretched my technical skills and has been thoroughly enjoyable and very rewarding,” said Martin.

“I realise that competitions such as this are so important to engage students in a different aspect of the fashion industry, and it has certainly opened my eyes to what different career paths within design are available. After designing outerwear for the competition, I feel this is something I want to expand on. I definitely hope to experiment more with designing outerwear and sportswear, with a view to creating garments that are stylish, practical and exciting for active and adventurous individuals.”

UK Student Design Awards

The UK Student Design Awards are part of the Professional Clothing Awards (PCA) and have been established to help shine a light on young designers looking to make their mark on the professional clothing industry.

The Awards empower young designers to create their own visions of professional work clothing.  In 2016, Project 20/20, challenged student designers to conceptualise corporatewear, workwear and/or personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers in the year 2020. Whilst the 2017 contest required students to time travel to the 3000 and imagine the future of work clothing, the Cordura Durable Design Award encourages students to focus on the integration of technical fabric functionality and commercial viability within their design entry. The 2018 Awards contest – PCA Vision – has just been announced with Cordura fabric as the headline sponsor.

“The Cordura brand is focused on pushing the boundaries of durable fabric innovation,” said Cindy McNaull, global Cordura brand and marketing director. “Today’s young designers are essential in bringing forward-thinking designs to life, and helping us construct the durable fabrics of tomorrow.”

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