Student earns Germany trip to see rap designs made

Emily Andrews, who studies at the University of Northampton, was selected as one of the final eight

A fashion student earned a trip to Germany after her designs inspired by female rappers were shortlisted for a sustainable clothing competition.

Emily Andrews, who studies at the University of Northampton, flew to Dusseldorf to see her creations printed for the event.

Her designs were selected as one of eight for the next round, from which the judging panel will select the final three.

She said her designs centre around "women empowerment within rap music".

Nicki Minaj was one of the rappers featured in the student's designs

The final year fashion student's designs have featured rappers including Nicki Minaj, Lil Kim and Doja Cat.

Their images were used in a blended collage to give their faces a "quirky" look.

"I then built upon this, adding three-dimensions using recycled jewellery and false eyelashes to one of them," Ms Andrews said.

She said rap music was "still a male dominated genre".

"I wanted to show off all the powerful women that have inspired myself, their fan base and each other as professional musicians," she said.

Emily Andrews hopes to be selected to show her work in Graduate Fashion Week

The competition, run by the Graduate Fashion Foundation, was open to all final year students at its 45 member universities.

Students were asked to create textile designs "which breathe new life into second-hand collections".

Earlier this month the shortlisted eight students, including Ms Andrews, went to Kornit Digital in Germany - an international manufacturer specialising in printing garments - to see their designs.

Those selected into the final three will be part of Graduate Fashion Week in London in June.