As Sir Grayson Perry prepares to move on from his role as UAL Chancellor, this year marked not only the end of this tenure, but also the last chance for students to design his Chancellor’s robes as part of the Grayson’s Robes competition.
Since the launch of this annual design competition in 2017, which had a 2-year hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic, thousands of UAL students have had the opportunity to design unique robes for Grayson to wear at the graduation ceremonies.
The competition has grown each year – both in the entries submitted as well as in the creativity and innovation exhibited by our students.
This year’s designs reflected the extraordinary breadth of skills students at UAL acquire, including techniques such as knitting, embroidery, ceramics and laser cutting.
The winning design by Yinfang Wang who is currently a 1st year BA Fashion Jewellery student at London College of Fashion, showcased how our students are continuously pushing the boundaries in fashion design.
Although Yinfang’s studies don’t focus on pattern cutting or other skills usually associated with creating a wearable garment, her win demonstrates how courses at UAL provide students with an ability to adapt and crossover into different, but related areas.
Yinfang took inspiration from British sculptor Hew Locke to structure a gown made from recycled plastic flowers and hoops.
“It was laborious and painstaking production process, but I actually enjoyed it! I like how the design created a completely different effect compared to other projects I’ve completed in my studies.”
The main structure of the skirt required around 1,500 paper circles in various sizes – by far the most time-consuming part of the production process.
Yinfang then decorated the garment with flowers made from plastic bottles and type 2 plastic, all sourced from previously used materials.
“It makes me proud knowing that my work can help solve a problem, like the increase in plastic pollution. I’m also proud of how the dress looks – it's something that’s never been done before.”
The first time our designers get to see Grayson trying on their designs is always a special occasion.
At the first fitting, when I saw Grayson in my robes, “I had a sort of ‘yes, I did it’ moment and then my mind went almost blank. But I stayed positive because the fitting was one of my happiest moments since the start of my studies.”
“I accepted this challenge because I wanted to prove myself to those who don't recognise my voice.”
“I ended up being so satisfied with the outcome. I couldn’t even contain my emotions when they announced me as the winner of the competition; I had been waiting so long for this feeling of being seen and recognised.”
Find out how Yinfang turned a thousand hoops and recycled plastic flowers into Grayson’s final Chancellor’s Robes:
The Making of Grayson’s Robes 2023