at  Mercedes-Benz Fashion Pavilion,

A degree show in fashion design is often mistaken for a show of garments and outfits
that should be ready for sale in store and to a certain market segment. However, that
is not the main idea with a degree work. The purpose of a degree work is instead to
present new ideas and possibilities that in turn may be applied and adopted into
commercialized ready to wear garments for different situations or markets; hence the
at times abstract and demonstrative character of the collections shown.
At the Swedish School of Textiles fashion design is understood in its broadest sense,
making room for a vast number of different perspective. And so it must be, since the
challenge for today’s graduating designers is an industry alongside others that has to
change into a more sustainable system and where our relationship to clothing,
accessories and other fashion-related products has to be challenged. Therefore, I put
my hope to the degree students to continue to challenge an industry in the same way
that you have challenged and developed your education.
Clemens Thornquist