Hena Begum, a University of Portsmouth BA (Hons) Fashion and Textile Design graduate has been selected as one of six to feature in Graduate Fashion Foundation’s Digital Designer Profile at London Fashion week (19-23 February 2021).
Hena graduated in 2020 and launched her brand Modestly shortly after, creating womenswear that is unique and experimental, influenced by her experience being a modest wearing Bengal Muslim woman in the UK. Modestly explores traditional textile techniques and combines weaving with the use of laser cutting technology to create designs inspired by Islamic art and architecture. The collection combines feminine tailoring and a bright colour palette, with an aim to create conversation and prove that modest wear can be creative.
Previously Hena has won the Graduate Fashion David Band Textiles Award and has had her work featured in The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian. On her latest accolade Hena Begum said “It feels amazing to have been selected as an emerging designer by Graduate Fashion Foundation for the London Fashion Week Designer profile."
It means a lot to have been given this opportunity allowing me to reach a wider network of people that I would have not been able to reach. I feel grateful to be able to showcase my brand and designs on such a huge platform and hope to connect to new people through this opportunity.
London Fashion Week 2021 being fully digital highlights promising opportunities for the fashion industry to explore when it comes to digital collaboration and showcasing. Hena was able to participate in a private livestream where she directed and styled her collection remotely, with further moodboarding, video calls and threaded messages, ensuring her involvement at every stage.
BA (Hons) Fashion and Textile Design Course Leader, Rachel Homewood said “The course team are extremely proud of Hena's achievement and the deserved recognition of winning the Graduate Fashion Week David Band Textiles Award and also the opportunity to present her collection at London Fashion Week, in collaboration with Graduate Fashion Week. Her fashion collection has been beautifully executed, exploring unique and experimental techniques using laser cutting techniques and engineered digital prints. Hena has launched her brand 'Modestly' after winning her award from Graduate Fashion Week and we will be closely following her success in the Industry.
Graduate Fashion Foundation is a charitable organisation that is a springboard for new talent, bridging the gap between graduation and employment, supporting and guiding newly graduated and undergraduate students, helping them get the best possible start in the fashion industry. This year Graduate Fashion Foundation collaborated with Visualist, the new productivity suite for fashion creatives and their teams to produce this season’s digital content for London Fashion Week.