RMIT University showcased the future of global fashion innovation at the Young Essentials Project (YEP) launch last night at Melbourne’s Ms Collins.

This year more than 120 RMIT students formed into 18 groups to work with some of Australia’s biggest fashion brands – Myer, Country Road, and Sportsgirl to produce capsule collections.

The YEP launch featured high profile industry leaders and special guests including iconic Australian designer Joe Saba and model Nick Bracks.

YEP winners for each retailer have previously gone on to have their capsule collections produced and sold instore.

Lisa Parrella, Myer category buyer and developer, said the students were highly creative and the work they produced was to an extremely high standard.

“They came with fresh ideas and took initiative that pushed the boundaries, particularly when it came to social media and marketing,” she said.

YEP manager and program coordinator, fashion and textiles merchandising, Robyn Lyons, said students involved in the program “hit the ground running” and the industry partners were thrilled with the standard of work developed.

“Our students excelled while working on real industry briefs with the nation’s most influential fashion retailers,” she said.

Students involved in YEP are all in their final year of the Associate Degree in Fashion and Textiles Merchandising.

Winners for the Young Essentials Project 2014 are:

MYER: “Bill’s Fan Club” – Tahnee Edwards, Mollie Callahan, Louise Egan, Teegan Haidle, Chen Wen (Kirby) Lin, Danielle Mc Rorie, Brittany Roosenboom

COUNTRY ROAD: “Bricks & Clicks” – Caroline Webb, Monique Restuccia, Stephanie Brown, Stephanie Ferraro-Hosie, Nina Fitzpatrick, Yee Ling (Christine) Kan, Emma Musarra, Claire Whitaker

SPORTSGIRL: “Meraki” – Maddison Davis, Emily Graham, Alexandra McConnell, Christine Tran, Elle Paxton, Courtney Powell, Daniella Reed, Hayley Zovic