Model students rewarded at Graduate fashion week gala

Rebecca Thomson from the Manchester School of Art claims the top prize in the gala show at Graduate fashion week

Rebecca Thomson's designs at Graduate fashion week. Photograph: PR

Rebecca Thomson, a 22-year-old graduate of the Manchester School of Art, claimed top prize in the gala show at Graduate fashion week last night for a collection that mixed hand-pleated details with jogging bottoms - a look the designer dubbed "casual couture".

The judges praised Thomson's work, above, for its contemporary feel. Other winners included Thomas Crisp of Ravensbourne College for menswear. Crisp, who offered a mix of metallic pieces and interesting tailoring, was singled out by the judges for his "skills as a modern menswear designer with a good commercial edge".

Rhea Fields of Northbrook College won best womenswear while Anna Lee of De Montfort University took the Zandra Rhodes textiles award for her kaleidoscopic prints worn with jumbo animal necklaces.

Lorraine Candy, editor of Elle and on the judging panel, said the standard of work was high. She praised an overall move to more accomplished designs that were less "out there". This more grown-up approach reflects the fashion zeitgeist. In February, during Londonfashion week, commentators said the shows were slicker and less edgy.

The designer Alberta Ferretti, also on the judging panel, employs British-schooled graduates in her design studio. She thinks the fashion education in this country strikes a perfect balance between "the fantasy of fashion" alongside skills such as tailoring.

Dame Vivienne Westwood has been spotted checking out the next generation of talent at the event, which is in its 19th year and has helped launch careers of designers such as Stella McCartney.

Candy said 2010 hasn't been any tougher than normal. "It's always really tough for graduates," she said. "But in times like this creativity thrives - the will to do something brilliant has to be very strong."