UCLan Graduates design England Commonwealth Games Kit

Five Lancashire based fashion graduates will design the kit for England’s elite athletes at next year’s Commonwealth Games.

The former students from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) work for Kukri Sports in Preston, who have been named the Official Kit Supplier for Commonwealth Games England.

The designers are currently working on plans for 16 different sports kits from athletics to shooting and have even met some of England’s elite athletes to gauge their opinions and test out sizes.

The five designers; Carly Ellwood, Hayley Harrison, Keith Jolley, Laura Murphy and Louise Pullan all graduated from UCLan during the last ten years with varying degrees including fashion design, fashion and brand promotion and graphic design.  The company has also taken on current UCLan fashion student, Naomi Grime, who will work full-time after graduation.

Keith Jolley commented: “The Olympics was such a big success last year and I’m sure the nation will also get behind England for the Commonwealth Games so it’s fantastic to play a part in it.  It will be amazing to see athletes in their kit and know we’ve designed it for them right here in Preston.”

Fellow designer Carly Ellwood added: “As a team we’re all really proud to come from UCLan and work together on such a large scale project.  It’s a big privilege to design the official England kit and we’re all really looking forward to seeing the final results.” 

The contract is a huge boost for the company who hope the exposure at Glasgow 2014 will secure Kukri’s future as the UK’s leading bespoke sportswear company. 

Kukri, which began in the home of company founder and Managing Director Phil Morris, moved to Preston to be closer to the region’s investors and because of the outstanding reputation of the fashion and design department at UCLan.

Phil Morris said: “Since moving to the North West, Kukri has secured work placements for students studying a four year sandwich course and an MA in fashion and design. Some students spend one year with Kukri and the partnership with UCLan has proved to be really successful.

“The difference between UCLan’s fashion graduates and other universities is that the students are ready for work.  They come ready with a lot of practical experience and are very employable.”

The 2014 Commonwealth Games will take place in Glasgow from 23 July to 3 August.

ENDS

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