Graduate Fashion Week 2025 | The Catwalk to Commercial Award Winner
Last weekend, Graduate Fashion Week 2025 took centre stage – the prestigious annual event that showcases the next generation of talent emerging in the industry, from universities and fashion courses all across the country.
As the official Headline Sponsor of Graduate Fashion Week, we’re proud to bring the Designers at Debenhams x Catwalk to Commercial initiative back to the forefront, offering one winner the chance to kickstart their fashion career by launching an exclusive collection with us, bringing their ideas to life from conception to creation.
The Catwalk to Commercial Award
The Winner
Kitty Carr-Lake from Leeds University
The Runners Up
Jake Bliss from Manchester Fashion Institute
Toni Childlow from Kingston University
Studying fashion and want to know what catches the eyes of the experts at Debenhams? Our Marketing Director reveals all…
Why was it important for Debenhams to be part of Graduate Fashion Week?
Because future fashion starts here. Debenhams has always stood for accessibility and style – and Graduate Fashion Week is where raw creativity meets real-world ambition. If we want to stay relevant, we have to support the pipeline.
What do you look for during Graduate Fashion Week from graduates?
Originality and intent. I want to see work that says something, that understands the customer but still pushes boundaries. Technical skill is essential, but vision is what stands out.
What more could the industry do to help kickstart fashion creatives’ careers?
Stop gatekeeping. We need to open more doors – paid placements, funded mentorships, real-world briefs. Too much talent stalls because it doesn’t have access. At Debenhams, we’re trying to change that by offering real exposure – if we take on a graduate, we don’t just use their name. We bring them into the process.
What was it about the winning collection that made you want it to be part of the Designers at Debenhams line?
Kitty Carr-Lake’s collection stood out instantly. It was technically advanced, creatively fearless, and completely retail-ready. The knitwear was incredible – not just in design but in innovation. And what’s more, her skills go well beyond knitwear.
What can we expect from the new look Designers at Debenhams for AW25?
This is a reinvention. We didn’t just reboot the label – we rebuilt it. We’ve created a new space for designer collaboration, one that bridges the established names with emerging forces like Kitty. All I’ll say for now is: I’m not quite sure you’re ready for our launch designer. It’s going to be epic.