Final year students at renowned De Montfort University were set a design project for 2025 in collaboration with Lounge Underwear. Lounge have supported DMU for a number of years via the External Client Project and the project was set to be completed in February 2025.
Finalists of De Montfort University with Angelica Sephton on left and Thom Smith on right
Julie Swinfield, Rachel Toner and Abbie Swinfield liaised with Emily Blount who is Head of Product (and a DMU Contour alumna) for Lounge, to secure the project that allowed students to design and create product for Lounge within the areas of bras, intimates, sleepwear, swimwear and athleisure. Branding and sustainability were also considered. The students were set the brief to design a collection for SS2025.
Students had to design a range of 6 outfits, one of which was then selected as the Hero Outfit. The outfits would cover one single product area or designed across a specified product area of Bras, Intimates, Sleep, Swim or Athleisure. Designs also had to be affiliated with a strong awareness of sustainability, consumer trends, innovative fabrication and branding and with inclusive sizing.
In total there were 13 finalists in the judging process and presentations took place at Lounge’s HQ in Solihull with Thom Smith (Senior Talent Acquisition Manager) and Angelica Sephton (Lead Product Designer & Alumna of DMU Contour).
Winner Daisy Brown, Thom Smith and Angelica Sephton
This year Daisy Brown took first place, 2nd Jemima Van Dijk, 3rd Madi Mitchell; Molly Roberts and Katrina Plowman were also both highly commended.
DAISY BROWN – 1ST PLACE
“Inspired by the vibrant corals and jellyfish I encountered in Australia, the aim for my project was to design intimates that highlight the importance of protecting these ecosystems. Underpinned by UN SDG Goal 14, life below water, I explored organic shapes and developed unique branding aligned with Lounge. I incorporated gorgeous embroidery from Potencier Broderies and my own fabric manipulation to create a luxurious, trend – driven aesthetic that would resonate with the Lounge customer, while advocating for ocean conservation.”
Insta daisy_contour daisy@butlerbrown.co.uk
1st Place Daisy Brown
1st Place Daisy Brown
1st Place Daisy Brown
1st Place Daisy Brown
1st Place Daisy Brown
1st Place Daisy Brown
JEMIMA VAN DIJK (Uncovered Collection) – 2nd PLACE
“Uncovered is a collection inspired primarily by my mother and her struggle to find medically suitable, attractive intimates after undergoing a preventative double mastectomy with reconstruction. The aim was to create a collection with no compromises on aesthetics, whilst simultaneously fulfilling all medical necessities, empowering all women affected by breast cancer. The collection is completely wire-free, bonded internally, using soft bamboo fabric, to minimise irritation. It also has internal pockets for mastectomy prosthesis. Aesthetically, the collection is inspired by beauty within imperfection, in both the feminine form and in nature, and the floral embroidery I created, paired with the organic corded lace, represents this.
In partnership with the Lounge Foundation, a portion of the profits would go to women’s and children’s health charities, aligning with the UN SDG 10; Reduced Inequalities.”
Insta Jvd.intimates jemimavandijk@icloud.com
2nd Place Jemima Van Dijk
MADI MITCHELL – 3rd PLACE (Lila Collection)
“This collection was inspired by the vibrant tropical flowers I discovered during a holiday to Bali. In partnership with a Balinese charity, a portion of the profits from this collection will be donated to support poverty alleviation, aligning with SDG Goals 1, 3, and 4. The intricate beauty of the flowers led me to explore new design techniques, particularly creating my own embroidery and exploring different textile practices like devoré. My goal is to design an empowering outfit that celebrates the strength and individuality of all women and create something that pushes the boundaries of what Lounge has explored before yet still stays true to the brand’s identity. This garment has detachable straps with other options to allow it to be styled in different ways making it both functional and stylish.”
Insta madimitchelldesign madimitchell2004@icloud.com
3rd Place Madi Mitchell
MOLLY ROBERTS – Highly Commended (Orchid Collection)
“My aim was to create an empowering intimates collection for women that helps them feel confident and celebrates their natural beauty. The intricate details of orchid petals inspired my project, and I incorporated their form into the design of my hero outfit; this motif echoed throughout my entire collection. Additionally, I explored the symbolism of the orchid, which represents love, luxury, strength, and beauty, reflecting these qualities in my work.”
Insta mollyrobertscontour mollyroberts86@gmail.com
Highly Commended: Molly Roberts
KATRINA PLOWMAN – Highly Commended (Siamese Swim Collection)
“I was given the opportunity to present my project concept and final design to Lounge as a part of my 3rd year external client project at De Montfort University. My swimwear collection was inspired by the Thai Siamese “Fighting” Fish as I wanted this collection to give a subtle nudge to The Lounge Foundation as it is all about “fighting” cancer. By having the hashtag #feelyourbreast in the lining it reminds women to check everywhere even at the beach, which also covers the 3rd UN goal health and wellbeing.
Other ways I was sustainably conscious when producing this collection to cover the 12th UN goal was through the dyeing and toiling process. The ombré placement print was done using dye sublimation, which uses no water, no chemicals and the printed paper is recycled. Furthermore, the macrame cover up toiling process has no wastage, and it can be unknotted and reused, which also supports the 7R’s in Fashion.”
Insta fashion_by_katrina kplowman11@gmail.com
Highly Commended: Katrina Plowman
DeMontfort University was delighted to have the sponsorship and sampling support for this project from both Tian Hai Lace, who was represented by Harrison Tatem-Wyatt, and in addition and for the first time, Potencier Embroideries – supported by Corentin Potencier and Sylvie Newton. Their expertise was shared with the students and the liaison allowed for designs to be swiftly realised which was a huge success. This sponsorship will flow in to their Final Major Projects.
