MAXXAM x Graduate Fashion Foundation reveal 2026 design competition finalists

Textile innovator and MAXXAM founder, Rosemary Moore, in partnership with the Graduate Fashion Foundation (GFF), has announced the four finalists of the second MAXXAM x GFF design competition.

The competition spotlights emerging fashion talent, challenging students from leading universities in the UK and internationally to reinterpret contemporary womenswear using MAXXAM’s signature seamless, four-way stretch textiles.

This year’s finalists were selected for their "innovative" and "forward-thinking" approaches, demonstrating creativity, technical skill and commercial awareness.

The four finalists are:

Hisham Ramadan, City University Malaysia - Inspired by the seahorse, Ramadan’s collection blends marine influences with contemporary sportswear, featuring layered constructions, panelled silhouettes and gradient oceanic tones that balance technical performance with fashion-forward style.

Amy Brown, University of Central Lancashire - The Swim Club: Volume 1 reimagines retro swimwear with bold colour-blocking, stripes and adaptable silhouettes. The versatile, mix-and-match collection transitions seamlessly from beachwear to everyday wear, blending playful nostalgia with contemporary style.

Jenna Lad, Nottingham Trent University - Coastal Layers draws on the textures and tones of the British coastline, featuring abstract jacquards, layered silhouettes and soft mineral palettes. The sustainable, multi-purpose collection adapts across occasions while maintaining a refined, contemporary aesthetic.

Madeleine Foex, De Montfort University - MAXXAM x Opaline Swim features versatile, convertible garments that transition from swimwear to daywear. Using cord-textured and scuba MAXXAM fabrics, the collection balances structure and fluidity with a neutral, timeless palette, showcasing both technical skill and wearability.

Commenting on this year’s finalists, Moore said: "Once again, I have been incredibly impressed by the standard of work submitted this year. The level of creativity, technical understanding and forward-thinking approach shown by the students has been outstanding.

"What makes this competition so important is the opportunity it creates, not just to recognise emerging talent, but to support and nurture the next generation of designers as they begin to shape the future of fashion. Selecting just four finalists was no easy task, and I’m very much looking forward to working with them as they bring their designs to life."

The finalists will now develop one full look from their capsule collections, collaborating closely with MAXXAM’s UK manufacturing partners. Their designs will be presented at Graduate Fashion Week 2026, where one overall winner will be selected by Moore and announced live on the Gala runway.