Chinese gardens, Napoleonic hats, vintage kimonos and a floral thimble provide inspiration for final-year students at the Edinburgh College of Art graduate Fashion Show.
Over 150 designs created by final-year students are showcased in this year's Edinburgh College of Art graduate Fashion Show.
The University of Edinburgh’s Futures Institute (EFI) will be transformed into a catwalk, with students' innovative designs presented in three spectacular runway shows on Friday 22 May.
The annual show is a highlight of Scotland’s fashion calendar, shining a spotlight on the future talent of fashion and showcasing the emerging graduate designers work to industry professionals.
More than 150 designs will be showcased on the catwalk, with contrasting styles inspired by contemporary twists on Asian heritage, sensory sustainable textiles, alongside military-influenced sportswear and explorations of traditional tailoring.
Contemporary kimono
Student Susu Wang’s collection is inspired by a family journey through Japan, where visits to shrines and museums shaped a shared sense of time, memory and place.
Using material from old kimono obi alongside a vintage Japanese colour palette, her looks combine rich textures with gold embroidery and voluminous quilted panels, in a contemporary take on the traditional kimono.
Olivia Rixon reimagined traditional tailoring from a female perspective (left), while Susu Wang's contemporary kimono (right) was inspired by a trip to Japan.
Military millenary
Inspired by children's experiences during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Jon Jo Ruding’s collection explores themes of resilience.
Exploring the concept of clothing as a means of protection, Ruding contrasts relaxed and structured silhouettes, with giant Napoleonic-era hats featuring cut-out troops in vibrant colours, juxtaposed against military inspired sportswear to create a playful and elegant collection.
Inherited traditions
Olivia Rixon explores inheritance and heritage, inspired by her grandmother’s floral-embossed thimble.
Rixon combines fluid silhouettes, soft structures and organic stripes to create a gentler, female-led approach to traditional tailoring. Incorporating coral pink silk jackets, Harris Tweed suits and textured knitwear, her collection embodies artisanal crafts and family memories passed through generations.
Jennifer Jiang's textured designs (left) were inspired by Chinese Suzhou gardens, while Jon Jo Ruding (right) created military-inspired looks exploring the concept of protective clothing.
Sensory silhouettes
China’s traditional Suzhou gardens provide the inspiration for Jennifer Jiang’s atmospheric collection.
Translating Eastern expression through a contemporary western fashion lens, her collection explores how light, sound and movement shape human perception.
Richly textured looks include dresses created with cork fabric and raffia tassels, and a tailored trouser set in wool, embellished with lemon scented charcoal wax.
Prestigious programme
Edinburgh College of Art’s Fashion Programme remains a sector leader, with many alumni going on to successful careers in the fashion industry, including work with world-leading houses including Balenciaga, Thom Browne, Jacquemus, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Alexander McQueen and Bottega Veneta.
This year, ECA Year 2 students also had career-making opportunities through mentorship programmes with iconic global brands and industry partners, including the adidas Makerlab and Multrees Walk, where they learned about commercial fashion and sales. The project culminated in a special exhibition of students’ designs at Multrees Walk earlier this month.
We are proud and excited to showcase the achievements of our students and the new graduate designers of 2026. The work on show is a testament to their dedication, enthusiasm, and ambition in putting their final collections together, supported by a dedicated team of staff. Our graduates reflect a diverse range of individuality, creativity, and incredible talent at the very beginning of their careers. We are delighted to present their work to both public and industry audiences to enjoy and witness the fashion stars of tomorrow.
Professor Mal James
Programme Director of Fashion at Edinburgh College of Art
