Former Harlow College Level 3 Fashion student Shabana Begum, 22 from Stansted, has proved to be a cut above the rest by graduating from The university of East London where she was studying the BA (Hons) Fashion design course.

She was one of just 23 from 90 students selected to represent the university in Graduate Fashion Week. In fact, so impressed were the selection panel that Shabana was chosen to open the show, which took place at The Truman Brewery in Brick Lane, London on Sunday 31 May.

A delighted Shabana said after the show: “I had such a great time at Harlow College. I hadn’t even thought about going to uni, so opening the catwalk show was surreal! That’s all down to my tutors for pushing me to apply.”

Shelley Clarke, Shabana’s tutor at Harlow College, said of her former student: “Shabana was a highly professional and innovative student who demonstrated promise from day one. She was a very committed student which was certainly evident when seeing her graduate collection.”

Karen Spencer, Principal at Harlow College, said: “We are incredibly proud of Shabana – she is a fantastic role model for other students wanting to go into the Fashion and Clothing Industry. As a College we pride ourselves on preparing students for their next steps in life – what a fantastic testament to Shabana’s teachers at Harlow College that she was selected to open the show.”

Watch a video of the UEL Catwalk Show

Harlow College offer a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Fashion

University Centre Harlow, based on the Harlow College campus, have just received approval for a new Fashion HNC/D, starting September 2015