A STUDENT from Flookburgh is hoping her innovative take on men’s sportswear will turn heads at this year’s Graduate Fashion Week.

Lauren Davies, 23, a former Cartmel Primary School pupil, is studying fashion at the prestigious Manchester School of Art.

She is one of just 18 students from the school who have been chosen to show their collection at the London event – the primary showcase for British fashion students.

Lauren has been interested in art and design from a young age and, as a keen ski-ing fan, hopes to work for a major ski wear designer in the future.

She has taken inspiration from the slopes to create her collection and says: “My design style is fairly sporty with a street wear vibe.

“It takes a lot of inspiration from ski wear as ski-ing is a big part of my life. I like to work in the practical aspect of sports wear and mix it with really different and innovative design.

“I design my own quilting patterns for my outerwear and I mix technical fabrics with traditional leathers and sheepskin.”

Lauren has taken elements of Saami and Inuit costume and combined them with inspiration found in vintage outerwear.

Although they look like high fashion, all the items in the collection could be worn on the ski slopes.

“My collection has a laid back feel to it but could also be seen as quite a tough, mascu-line collection,” she said.

Louise Adkins, senior lecturer in fashion at the the school of art, said: “Graduate Fashion Week is the most prestigious event of its kind for students, and it is amazing to be sending students of such high quality down to London this year.”