Lingerie designed by a De Montfort University (DMU) student from Thailand has scooped third prize in the finals of one of the UK’s most prestigious design contests.
For the fourth consecutive year, Triumph, one of the world’s leading lingerie and shapewear brands, invited students from the UK’s top fashion and contour design schools, DMU in Leicester and London College of Fashion, to take part in the Triumph International Awards.
Winning student Pim Bencharit, originally from Bangkok, was awarded third prize for her lingerie design entitled ‘Soft Cage’.
Pim’s designs reflect her views on how women in developing countries are still bound by the confines of society and their political, domestic and religious standings.
Taking inspiration from a form of Japanese binding, Pim created a bra and brief set utilising plastic and stringed threads to produce a futuristic and highly creative design.
She said: “Many women today still face injustice and discrimination and ‘Soft Cage’ conveys the hope and goals for achieving liberty in the way the cage, a symbol of restraint, does not cover the whole body and allows ease of movement.”
Pim, 20, studies BA (Hons) Contour Fashion at DMU, which is one of only two institutions in the world to offer the degree.
“Being at DMU has provided me with fantastic opportunities to be recognised by the industry. Coming third in the UK final of Triumph has been one of the greatest achievements I have made. I have learnt a lot from the competition and I think this will be one of the factors which will really help boost my career opportunities when I graduate.”
Judges Jameela Jamil, Angela Buttolph (Grazia), stylist Charlotte Stockdale, German design duo Felder Felder and Triumph’s UK product manager Jane Fenlon-Smith reached a unanimous decision. The judges decision was based upon innovation, creativity, concept and aesthetic translation of this year’s theme ‘125 years of Celebrating Women’ marking the 125 year anniversary of the brand.
Gillian Proctor, programme leader at DMU, said: “We pride ourselves on the calibre of our graduates on the international stage and their creativity is the key to great design for the future. Naturally we are delighted for Pim and for all our students who were selected to the UK finals.”
ENDS