Student Stephanie Kitchen has been crowned winner of Fashion Scout's competition at London Fashion Week.
Fashion design students took part in the challenge, set by the Fashion Awareness Direct charity (FAD) to design "optimistic solutions for the future", and competed for funding and industry placements.
Stephanie Kitchen flanked by models wearing her winning designs
The finalists were asked to "envisage a key development or change taking place in the next ten years, and design two outfits which respond to it". The 15 fashion students had their work strutted on the catwalk by professional models, in front of a formidable audience of family, friends and most importantly, members of the fashion industry.
The students' impressive collections wowed the judges, which included a Topshop designer and fashion journalist Hilary Alexander.
Alexander, fashion director at the Daily Telegraph, said this year's entries were "extremely high".
"The three winners stood out immediately and the decision of the judging panel was unanimous. The winning entry was outstanding, in concept, inspiration, execution and creativity - with an extremely high degree of sustainability, wearability and commercial appeal, as well.
"The first runner-up worked in a novel, sustainable fabric and utilised clever laser-cutting techniques to create an ultra-modern silhouette, while the second runner-up brought a highly original print concept to the table.”
Kitchen, winner of the competition, said she was flattered and "totally shocked" when her name was read out. "I entered the FAD competition because I loved the brief and thought it was so inspiring.
"Being part of the competition is such a great opportunity for a fashion student, I'm so grateful to the FAD team for the amount of support they have given me and the opportunities that being part of the competition has opened up.
"Next step is graduate collection then in one years time i would love to be working for a sportswear company also continuing to design and doing what I love!"
The competition, in its 12th year, has been described by Vogue as an "undeniable springboard" and has featured young talent who now design for top fashion houses including Vivienne Westwood, Whistles, Paul Costelloe and Coast.
Stefanos Konstantinou, second runner up, said: "I was shocked, it felt a bit surreal. It took me some seconds to realise what did just happen, but I was overwhelmed when i walked on the catwalk with my designs.
"I entered the competition because of its acknowledgment in the fashion industry and the brief gave us an artistic freedom to push our design boundaries.
"In the short-term, my final collection for my BA degree is coming next, and hopefully in one year's time I'll see myself either working in London's fashion industry, or doing my MA degree."