Paige Leach

From competition winner to Givenchy intern

Fashion student Paige Leach has won a competition run by the British Fashion Council and has undertaken a six-month contract with fashion house Givenchy. 

Paige beat a massive pool of students from across the UK to win the prize and worked from Givenchy’s base in Paris. 

Paige, who is in the final year of her fashion design degree at the University of South Wales said she was overjoyed with her victory. 

"I was absolutely delighted to have been announced the winner of the Givenchy Fashion Design competition in collaboration with The British Fashion Council. It was a dream come true,” she said. 

“Also, the opportunity to present my research and design knowledge to some of the key people leading the industry was one of the best experiences to date. 

A new, exciting chapter for Fashion at USW 

Steven Wright, Head of Subject, Fashion, Marketing and Photography, added: “This win marks and exciting new level for Fashion at USW. 

“Our connection to the British Fashion Council and the global fashion industry has given us new insight into the possibilities available to young fashion designers today. 

“The fashion design course has developed significantly in recent years to focus on developing designers that can tackle the rigour of a changing industry landscape. This is done through a radical educational approach that focuses on student independence, up-to-date industry knowledge and design thinking.  

“Paige’s win demonstrates the vast talent is Wales and how it can compete nationally and internationally.”