Press Release from Kensington and Chelsea College 

STUDENTS PREPARE TO DAZZLE AT NEW DESIGNERS EXHIBITION

A group of creative trailblazers from Kensington and Chelsea College are debuting their collection of cutting edge designs at a leading national exhibition.

The New Designers Exhibition brings together the UK’s talented, graduating designers and gives them a platform to showcase their work to industry employers, media and the design hungry public.

This year, 10 students from the college’s Professional Development Designer Makers Course will be among the cream of the crop displaying their creative flair at the exhibition.

Among the works being profiled by the design students are stunning jewellery glass and ceramic pieces.

Former actress Gunilla Karlson is one of the college’s talented ten who secured a spot at the prestigious two-week exhibition. 

The ambitious student from Kew will be showcasing several pieces of jewellery inspired by birds and Maori Tattoos.

Gunilla, who has shared the silver screen with Hollywood’s finest including Leonardo Di Caprio and Tilda Swinton, discovered a love for designing whilst taking time out from acting to look after her daughter.

Determined to pursue her interest in design she enrolled at the college and progressed across several courses, as well as bagging a high-profile design award from the V&A Museum along the way.

Speaking about the course and exhibition Gunilla said: “The jewellery I am exhibiting took a whole year to bring to life – creating them was a real labour of love. I’m really excited about being involved with ‘New Designers’. It’s one of the best platforms for being discovered, which I’m very much hoping I will be!

“The course at the college has been fantastic for preparing me for the real world. It literally walks you through the entire process of becoming a self-employed designer maker, from mastering practical skills to developing business knowledge.

“My dream is to establish myself as a professional jewellery maker and eventually pass on my skills and knowledge to encourage other people to find the designer within!”

The exhibition takes place at the Business Design Centre, Upper Street, Islington, and opens on Wednesday June 30.

 (ENDS)

Editors Notes
• The college is also running a Summer School packed with short courses in a range of subjects including the arts. For more information about the Summer School programme visit www.kcc.ac.uk/news/2010/summer_schools_2010 or to enrol on a course contact the college on 0207 573 5333.

• Kensington & Chelsea College runs hundreds of courses in 6 main centres throughout the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and West London.

• The college consists of a diverse range of cultures and ages and offers flexible, full-time and part-time programmes of study in a supportive environment.

• Full details on events, college life and the courses we run can be found at www.kcc.ac.uk, or call 0207 573 5333 for a copy of our latest prospectus.