21 October 2004
Dundee graduates head for Amsterdam catwalk
Scotland's up and coming fashion designers will show off their latest creations on the international
stage when they take part in a fashion show in Amsterdam later today. Recent graduates of the University
of Dundee's Duncan of Jordanstone college of Art and Design (DJCAD) are among the designers taking part
in the Fashion and Textiles event to be held in The Beurs in central Amsterdam.
Six DJCAD graduate's work will feature in the catwalk show that forms part of a Scottish Culture event
organised by the Scottish Executive. Ross Finnie MSP, Minister for Environment and Rural Development
will host the evening that will project young Scottish fashion designers into the international arena.
This is the second international event the team have participated in. Emma Simpkins (Dundee), Kirsten
McKenzie, (Dundee), Suzanne Crawford, (Fife), Sarah Connor (Arbroath), Lisa Balfour (Kirkcaldy) and Julie
Blair (Dundee) have already displayed their work in Paris earlier this year as part of a national fashion
and trade event celebrating the centenary of the Entente Cordiale.
The designers' work demonstrates cutting-edge techniques in an array of different fashion genres, from
Lisa Balfour's knitted 'body conscious' garments to Sarah Connor's lace and paper wedding dress.
Frances Stevenson, lecturer and project manager of the catwalk show explained the importance of the
event, "This is a tremendous opportunity for our graduates to market their work in a different
environment. Fashion and textiles design in Scotland must continue to be forward thinking and it is
crucial that our young designers have the opportunity to work and learn in the international sphere."
The Amsterdam event is not limited to fashion with a showcase of Scottish food, drink and contemporary
Scottish music also provided.
The fashion show takes place at 7.30pm, Thursday 21 October at The Beurs, Amsterdam.
For further information please contact Frances Stevenson on 01382 345577
By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk | 
