It might not do much to keep off the winter chill, but a knitted dress scooped a student a top fashion prize.
De Montfort University undergraduate Naomi Lobley was named Knitted Textile Designer of the Year at Clothes Show Live on Tuesday – which happened to be her 21st birthday.
After her name was called, final year fashion student Naomi watched nervously as the judges at the Birmingham event critiqued her cream lacey dress with knitted snakeskin scales and a cropped jumper.
It was the second Clothes Show Live win for Naomi. She was named Knitter of the Year at last year's event.
"I am thrilled to win a second time, and on my 21st birthday," said the delighted budding designer, who picked up a £500 prize.
"The publicity from winning is really positive in getting my name known in the knitting industry," said Naomi, who is originally from Lancashire.
She was one of five DMU students to be recognised at the awards.
Grace Cook's grey and black dress, made with a mix of chunky and fine Aran and Lurex knits, saw her named runner-up in the Knitted Textile Design category.
The 20-year-old, from Lincoln, said: "It was great to be picked as a finalist and receive some recognition for my hard work.
"It was enough to be a finalist and it will be a great platform for my career."
Fellow student Laura Thomas, 30, from Leicester, narrowly missed out on the title of Young Designer of the Year, but was commended by judges for her grunge-style silk chiffon dress, with unique chain-mail fringe.
Two of her classmates were among four designers in the country who were short-listed in the University of California Los Angeles-sponsored category at the event.
The pair, Anj Solanki, from Preston, and Kelly Frost, from Somerset, both designed jackets.
Anj, 20, said: "It was a great honour to be a finalist. I really enjoyed the challenge set for this competition and being a finalist was so exciting."
Kelly, also 20, said: "My design was a mix of the varsity jacket and a traditional British trench coat."
Della Swain, fashion design course leader at DMU, said she was proud of her students.
She said: "We are extremely pleased to have won the Knitted Textile Designer of the Year and receive two additional commendations.
"Having five finalists for the three awards reflects the high standard and diversity of our students' skills and creativity."
