Following a successful collaboration with one of our favourite labels – Vans – for Graduate Fashion Week and ?syllabus, we hosted the inaugural ?syllabus awards at The Box in Soho. Each award focussed on key themes that exist in the industry, really challenging the candidates to push their creativity to the limits – and the outcome was simply breathtaking. With work from candidates from our four partner universities, we can now share the winners of these awards, with glimpses at each of their amazing works – dig in…

Research & Development Award – Katie Batterham, Arts University Bournemouth – ‘Project Prompt Blank’

Katie Batterham’s Project Prompt Blank is a design that is accessible across all platforms, offering a community hub that allows people to experiment creatively without daily pressures. Inspired by the post-pandemic western society, this offers the chance for people to be more physically creative, without the pressures of location meet-ups – it’s all online.

Visionary Award – Evie Quazi, Arts University Bournemouth – ‘Sound Soles’

Tuning in with our Manc origins, ‘Sound Soles’ plays on the merging of sneaker culture and music. Offering an immersive experience, this project takes the user on a journey from playlist digestion, personality and music breakdown; with an exclusive custom shoe to finish.

Styling & Creative Direction Award – Harry Langford, Arts University Plymouth

Harry Langford imagined up an amazing styling and creative direction for Vans, using A Cold Wall designer Samuel Ross as the visionary for it. Combining his knowledge of art, culture and literature, this would bring something exciting and fresh to Vans’ brand by venturing into a more fashion-forward place.

 

Sustainability Award – Imogen Hands, Northumbria University – ‘Revamp’

Imogen Hand’s ‘Revamp’ project is all about breathing new life into your skateboards and shoes – really tuning into the collaboration between size? and Vans. Large graffiti stations, ramps, a mural wall, and spaces to reimagine your boards and shoes – this is an event we certainly want to go to.

Breaking The Mould Award – Lena Matkevich, Arts University Bournemouth – ‘Scarf Knit Kit’

Focussing on mental health and the escapism that knitting can offer, Lena Matkevich’s Scarf Knit Kit really caught our eye, and hearts. In partnership with CALM, customers would be able to knit a scarf that would match to their old or new pair of Vans. This would all fall under the size? and Vans beliefs of Creativity, Community and Consistency.

Community & Culture Award – Sam Clegg, UCLan – ‘Displacement’

This project is all about improving public spaces, offering a detailed outlook on improving them. In-line with skate culture and removing anti-homeless areas, this idea suggests homeless locker installations, inclusive seating, an information and education hub, cycle lanes, SNUG moveable children’s play area, and active sports spaces.

Off The Wall Award – Lucy Colquhoun, Arts University Bournemouth – ‘Element’

This immersive weather installation and pop-up shop is designed to promote the MTE Range, tapping into fresh trends like Gorpcore to lead the campaign. This would take place at the iconic House of Vans in London, and it would put the brands at the forefront of these trending streetwear movements.

?syllabus Partner University of the year award – Northumbria

Awarded to the university who has applied itself wholly to the brief and also looked to extend the benefits of ?syllabus and how it is used throughout the university as wide as possible. Is a champion of ?syllabus and has endeavoured to and succeeded in getting wider institutional buy-in to what ?syllabus can offer the students and university, as well as the activation of the brief. Most importantly has generated results across multiple cohorts of students and year groups.

?syllabus student of the year award – Olivia Mackinnon, Northumbria University

Winning the ?syllabus student of the year award is Olivia Mackinnon, with the amazing ‘You’re Talking Waffle’ project. This waffle van nods to Vans’ unique rubber soles, and it’ll be heading to a variety of universities to promote the panel. The actual event will be in-store in Newcastle, with opportunities for students to ask Vans and size? staff questions – with plenty of opportunities for Instagram takeovers.

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