Brick Lane was bustling the other day, but not just with the usual suspects of “day in the life” vintage shoppers. Inside Truman Brewery, the Graduate Fashion Foundation hosted its 33rd Graduate Fashion Week, and the 10 participants of the pioneering Accelerator Program shared their work in The Innovators of Tomorrow showroom.

Established by the Graduate Fashion Foundation and PVH Foundation, the second iteration of the Accelerator Program continues its mission this year by supporting underrepresented voices in the fashion industry. The 10-month initiative spans mentorship, financial advice and promotional opportunities. The cohort, chosen by a panel of industry experts (including two of Dazed’s own), are “the future of the industry”, according to Graduate Fashion Foundation director Nicola Hitchens, envisioning positive change across “key pillars of the industry, such as sustainability and diversity.”

The programme included Flavia Nis’ focus on ethical production, using material produced in one of the last surviving Romanian silk mills; Jess Oriley’s mission to combat festival tent waste; Leah Fan’s magazine, breaking down locational boundaries of industry knowledge; Danis Thapa’s textile connection to his family’s global migration, alongside six more trailblazing talents. The showroom presented a utopian new view of the industry, where seasons were reduced, workers were paid fairly, and the 92 million tonnes of textile waste were being reimagined and reused.

Find out more bout all 10 participants of The Accelerator Programme below.

AMELIA HAWES, PHOTOGRAPHER

How has the Accelerator Programme helped you so far? 

Amelia Hawes: The Accelerator Programme has been amazing. It has given me a community of like-minded people. I’ve been taught about things that you wouldn't necessarily talk about, such as finances, or how to approach others in the industry.

Who is your dream person to shoot? 

Amelia Hawes: My dream shoot would be with Joe Keery [Djo]. He has amazing stage presence.

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be a photographer? 

Amelia Hawes: For anyone aspiring to be a photographer, my advice is to experiment, collaborate and reach out to people. There’s always going to be someone friendly out there who’s willing to help you. And it doesn’t matter what camera you have, just practice!

JESS ORILEY, J.O.STUDIO

How and why did you begin recycling discarded tents for J.O. Studios? 

Jess Oriley: J.O. Studios began when I was bike packing through Scotland a couple of summers ago. I found a discarded festival tent in the bin at a campsite. It was brand new. I strapped it on the back of my bike and cycled it back from Glasgow to Manchester. From there, I saw the potential of the material and how to solve a problem.

If you could change one thing about the fashion industry, what would it be? 

Jess Oriley: The idea that we always have to use virgin materials.

What do you listen to whilst you are designing? 

Jess Oriley: I don’t know if you can tell because it’s super colourful and fun, but I listen to a lot of aggressive donk when I am in the studio. I am a donk girl.

SHRIYA RANPURA, SHRIYA RANPURA STUDIO

What is your work inspired by? 

Shriya Ranpura: I was born in Mumbai, but moved to England when I was 18. My work is inspired by ways to fuse the cultures of England and India. I love taking traditional indian craftsmanship and integrating it through a contemporary London lens. For the most recent collection, I worked with two Indian craftsmen who embroidered my pieces with designs inspired by mythology.

What do you hope the audience takes away from your collection? 

Shriya Ranpura: I hope it brings the conversation back to craft and heritage. I want my work to be a celebration of skill, of my life, my culture, and to show the world that India can create beautiful things.

AKIKO OBILLO, AMO LDN

Why do you want to pursue a career in fashion? 

Akiko Obillo: As a trans woman, one of the main reasons I want to break into the fashion industry is to dress A-listers. To have my name out there, to represent the community and to step outside of the box people are trying to put us in.

What would you do if you ruled the world for a day? 

Akiko Obillo: If I were to rule the world for a day, I would ask people to see our beauty as well.

You are a performer as well as a designer. Can you tell us a bit about that? 

Akiko Obillo: I’ve been doing beauty pageants since 2015, and not to brag, I have won quite a few of them. But winning is a bonus – it’s about showcasing my work and gathering my community. That is what AMO is all about.

DANIS THAPA, DT

What is your collection inspired by? 

Danis Thapa: I’ve always been passionate about art and storytelling, especially in representing my family and our culture. My father worked on a construction site in Hong Kong airport, exploring what he wore in the 90s is an anchor point to my design language. But ultimately, my family has come a long way – from Nepal, to Hong Kong and now to the UK. I want to celebrate that.

What would you say to your younger self?

Danis Thapa: Stay resilient and keep pushing.

LEAH FAN, NYAD MAGAZINE

How did you decide on the name for your publication? 

Leah Fan: I was lost for weeks trying to think of a name. It’s like naming a child. NOT YOUR AVERAGE DAY came from the people I had interviewed for the first issue, as the main aspect they loved about the industry was that no day was the same.

What is the mission of the magazine? 

Leah Fan: At home in the north of Ireland, pursuing a career in the creative industry isn’t the done thing. There were no mentors at home. There is no one to guide you. The magazine’s mission is to be that guide. To answer questions. To break down barriers and help others from similar backgrounds find their footing in the industry.

ESTELLE HENRY, IRIE STUDIOS

What is the focal point of your designs? 

Estelle Henry:  My jewellery designs focus on celebrating the vibrancy of the Caribbean. With a lot of jewellery designs, they focus on the flags or shapes of islands. They are missing these beautiful motifs like the national flowers, the fauna and flora or the national bird.

Which designer are you most inspired by? 

Estelle Henry: Bianca Saunders. I love how she incorporates her heritage into her work. She uses a mixture of text pieces with Jamaican Patois,  pictures and patterns. My favourite collection is Hard Food SS23, which is a food group that is popular in the Caribbean, consisting of yams, plantain and dumplings, all of which are good at balancing your hormones.

JASRAJ BHACHU, NO AMBITION

Tell us a bit about your brand. 

Jasraj Bhachu: My brand, NO AMBITION, is based on the culture surrounding extreme sports like snowboarding and skating. The mindset of anyone who participates in extreme sports has to be strong. You need to be confident in yourself and your abilities. So my message is, it’s not about dreams or goals. It’s a clear vision. You are going to get there.

What influenced your decision to incorporate punk elements into your work?

Jasraj Bhachu: When I was younger, I was into alternative music. Rock and indie music influenced the way I dressed. I lived in my brother’s clothes and my dad’s clothes. I noticed there was a gap in the market for grungey, punky streetwear. I wanted to bring the boldness back. I mean, that’s what punk is all about – being outside of the norm, being anarchic.

POLINA OLEYNIKOVA, SHERS STUDIO

What is your creative process? 

Polina Oleynikova: My process begins with a strong feeling – a story or a visual that had a strong impact on me – something I just need to get out through shape, texture, and atmosphere.

Describe your work in three words. 

Polina Oleynikova: Brutal, elegant and contrasted.

How has the Accelerator Programme helped you? 

Polina Oleynikova: The GFF Accelerator gave me some structure and support I didn’t even realise I needed. I’ve been figuring out most things on my own. Having access to people who get the industry and are generous with their knowledge makes a big difference.

FLAVIA NISTOR, FLAVIANÍS

How did you start your brand? 

Flavia Nistor: I started a small atelier in my grandmother’s apartment, back home in Romania. I partnered with a small atelier and made sure that I was a fair employer. I hired women from underrepresented backgrounds and paid them properly. In Romania, a lot of women do not have access to support. Through my work, I aim to empower them.

Your pieces are very structural. Why do you like creating these silhouettes?

Flavia Nistor: My designs are inspired by the Romanian-French sculptor Constantin Brâncuși. I’ve studied the principles and symbolism behind his work with a researcher. Together, we worked out how to respect and adapt it into fashion. Each piece has a particular story that’s inspired by a sculpture.

Scroll through the gallery at the top of the page for images of the finalists in the showroom