Four Birmingham City University students have been shortlisted in competition against 40 other universities at Graduate Fashion Week 2013, in recognition of their creative solutions to world-wide retail challenges.

• Fashion Retail Management graduate, Millie Galvin, was shortlisted in the ‘Innovation Award’ for her unique idea of mixing the best of high street and internet shopping with an in-store booth, delivering web-browsing, purchasing, pick-ups and returns.

Birmingham City University graduate, Millie Galvin, was shortlisted for her idea to mix the best of high street and Internet shopping

• Fellow graduate Anna Griffin was recognised in the ‘Marketing Award’ after presenting plans for a new Mobile App which provides detailed information to students visiting shops and events around Paris Fashion Week.

Naomi Geraghty and Sharni Aikins were both nominated in the Ethical Award category.

• Naomi was shortlisted for her idea to recycle trainers in exchange for discounts on a new range of sustainable footwear to be sold in Adidas stores.

• Sharni caught the judges’ attention with a plan to help busy parents send bags of unwanted children’s clothing and toys to a specialist sorting centre, in exchange for vouchers to buy second hand goods online.

Graduate Fashion Week represents a major talent pool

Alison Rapsey, head of Fashion Retail Management at Birmingham City University, said:

“The fashion retail and design sector recognise that Graduate Fashion Week represents a major talent pool. We are delighted our graduates’ professionalism has been acknowledged during such a prestigious occasion.”

Graduate Fashion Week showcases the work of over 1,000 graduates from some of the most influential UK and international universities. The event attracts 20,000 guests each June, and features 22 catwalk shows alongside an exhibition representing over 40 universities.