Kamile Kartunaviciute wins the Next Graduate Fashion Foundation Design and Trend Competition with her nostalgic and sustainable collection, ‘Thoughtful Indulgence’, inspired by the need for self-care in modern life.
A final-year fashion student from Northumbria University has gained significant recognition by winning the prestigious Next Graduate Fashion Foundation Design and Trend Competition. This annual competition invites emerging designers to forecast fashion trends and create a capsule collection for the Autumn/Winter 2025 season, drawing submissions from fashion students across the United Kingdom.
The winning collection, created by Kamile Kartunaviciute, was inspired by the increasing trend among young consumers to embrace a slower pace of life amid the busyness of modern existence. Titled “Thoughtful Indulgence,” Kartunaviciute’s collection was commended for its distinctive concept, emphasis on sustainability, and nostalgic design elements.
Originally from Lithuania, the 23-year-old designer conducted extensive research on trend forecasting and held conversations with peers, which revealed a common yearning for small moments of self-care. This insight informed her design process, leading her to create garments that evoke a feeling of calm and comfort as one navigates the fast-paced environment of city life.
Speaking about her work, Kamile noted, “My collection is about romanticising the everyday moments that we often overlook. I wanted to capture the feeling of enjoying small, thoughtful indulgences in the middle of a busy world. It’s a nod to nostalgia, yet reimagined through a modern lens, inspired by the 1970s New York scene.”
The “Thoughtful Indulgence” collection showcases a variety of oversized garments, adaptable layering pieces, and a rich color palette reflecting a vintage-inspired glow. Designed with young adults aged 18-25 in mind, the collection prioritizes comfort and versatility, allowing garments to be mixed and matched for a range of occasions.
In addition to its aesthetic qualities, Kartunaviciute’s collection adheres to sustainable fashion practices. All fabrics utilized in the collection are sourced from a company specializing in circular fabrics, which are repurposed from designer overproduction and leftover stock. This approach underscores the growing importance of collaboration between fashion brands and sustainable fabric suppliers, aligning with contemporary industry standards.
Kamile’s achievement in the Next Graduate Fashion Foundation Design and Trend Competition is viewed as a pivotal moment in her design career. She has gained previous industry experience through internships with smaller businesses during her studies and is now looking forward to expanding her expertise within a larger retail context. As part of her prize, she will undertake a four-week placement with Next, the UK’s largest fashion and lifestyle retailer, furthering her development in womenswear design. In addition to this invaluable experience, she has secured a £500 cash prize and an opportunity for an interview with Next’s graduate trainee program.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Kamile stated, “I am beyond thrilled and excited about this opportunity. It’s a dream come true to see my work recognised on this scale, and I’m incredibly grateful to Next and Northumbria University for making this possible. I look forward to learning from this experience and continuing my journey in fashion design.”
Sarah Walton, Director of Fashion Programmes at Northumbria University, commended Kamile’s achievement, stating, “The opportunities offered through winning the Next Design and Trend Live Competition for Kamile are so valuable as a young designer – the whole team are thrilled for her.” She further noted that this marks the second year in which a Northumbria University student has won this award, highlighting the impressive creativity and determination of the university’s fashion students to engage with live briefs and competitions.
The Graduate Fashion Foundation (GFF), a charitable organization that aids young people entering the fashion industry, organized the competition as part of its broader mission to connect education and employment. Nicola Hitchens, the GFF Charity and Event Director, commented on the high caliber of submissions this year, affirming that Kamile was chosen for her thorough trend research and well-defined capsule collection ideas.
The successful outcome for Kartunaviciute follows last year’s win by fellow Northumbria fashion graduate Abbie Inwood, who garnered similar recognition for her knitwear collection. Northumbria University continues to be a significant contributor to the development of emerging designers within the fashion industry.
Source: Noah Wire Services
