Fashion is a visual thing that goes beyond the design, fit and feel of a garment. Alongside the design awards, Graduate Fashion Week celebrates the up and coming fashion promoters who have demonstrated skills in fashion marketing, branding, PR and photography. Want to know who is the next giant in the world of photography? The upcoming Richard Avedon? The fashion promotion stars to keep your eyes on?

Well, luckily we're here to help. In no particular order, here are ELLE's top picks.

ELIZABETH BISHOP

Background: BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion at Ravensbourne

AWARD WINNER: Drapers Publication Award, Graduate Fashion Week 2017

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On the award: 'The award validated my work and forced me to do something a bit different; even with a topic that's popular you have to have a different take on things. I got noticed and asked to do talks. Graduate Fashion Week is about more than the award itself.'

On diversity in fashion: 'Things should always be diverse, but people use it as a marketing tool. It's something you should do anyway regardless, not just shout and scream about. Diversity is a celebration of people being themselves, not their race, sexuality or how they look.'

On what's next: 'Staying in London, are you kidding? I'd love to move to Copenhagen… I've just got to persuade my boyfriend. I'm so into minimalism and the design over there is exquisite, I love their way of life – it's so perfect for me.'

ALANNAH EILEEN

Background: BA (Hons) Fashion Communication at Heriot Watt University

AWARD WINNER: Fashion Photography Award, Graduate Fashion Week 2017

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On the award: 'It was crazy. I didn't even think for one second I'd win. I was just happy to be there! I don't think anyone from my University has won the award before. We don't have a big budget for GFW and they win money from the award, so we can put that toward going next year.'

On diversity in fashion: 'Diversity is really important because you want to see yourself represented in fashion. In my project I wanted to make a point of using no makeup and keeping everything natural, but I didn't want it to be the focus. It should be automatic, you shouldn't think twice about using diverse models. I hope we get to the place one day that that's just what happens and it's not used as a statement.'

On what's next: 'I've just been accepted to study a Masters at Central Saint Martins, so I'll be moving down to London. I'm also planning on doing an exhibition of my work back home in Scotland with my Granny, who is a painter. She's painted most of the places I've taken pictures of, so I want to show how we've both been inspired by the same place in different ways.'

ELLIE BURNS

Background: BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion at Ravensbourne

AWARD WINNER: D&AD New Blood Pencil Award

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On the award: 'The email went through into my junk when I was shortlisted. My friend actually told me she saw me on the website! Coming from a fashion background, the D&AD Award challenged me to get out of my comfort zone so I'm glad I entered it. It's currently sitting on the top of my fireplace in my bedroom.'

On diversity in fashion: 'It's so important and is something that should be expected and is the norm in the industry. It's a shame that when you see an amputee in a campaign - that shouldn't be a big deal. Get over it. There's so much further to go. I think of LGBT and gender and race as the top things. People use the term 'plus size' but what is plus size? They're normal people, they're just not stick thin.'

On what's next: 'I'm now working at Skinny Dip London doing PR and social and I'm excited to see how that grows. I'd like to travel, or potentially work in an agency with multiple brands. I absolutely love fashion, the pace, the stress, but I think it'll be nice to take a step outside and take the manic aspect of fashion and apply it creatively to another industry.'

HOLLIE DONNELLY

Background: BA (Hons) Fashion Communication at Northumbria University

AWARD WINNER: Diversity Body Image Award, Diversity Now 2017

On the award: 'It was amazing to feel like someone has noticed your work. My whole piece was about the assumptions people have about people with tattoos and I wanted to focus on beautiful people, inside and out.'

On diversity in fashion: 'To me it's about real people. It's seeing real, genuine people that you can relate to. It's nice to look at a picture of an amazing, beautiful model but it's not realistic. It's about personality and having fun.'

On what's next: 'Since I've graduated I've been travelling and going on holidays, so now I'm ready to go into full time work. I want to be a part of the up and coming fashion scene in Newcastle. I'm proud to be from up north and moving to London is not an option for me.'

CAROLINE BOWDEN

Background: BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion at the University of Central Lancashire

AWARD WINNER: Bonmarché Fashion For All Award, Graduate Fashion Week

On the award: 'It was an amazing feeling hearing my name announced, I couldn't believe it! I was so flattered by their kind comments about my work and my personality.'

On diversity in fashion: 'Diversity in fashion means allowing all women to feel confident and sexy in the clothes they are wearing. I think the fashion industry is still very set in their ways of designing clothing for skinny women and therefore not providing much variety for other women. All body types should be accounted for in the design process.'

On what's next: 'I'm currently working as a graphic designer for a women's footwear brand. For now, I'll be staying in Manchester however I would like to work abroad within the fashion industry in the near future. The idea of travelling and experiencing new cultures has always excited me.'