A Manchester fashion graduate took home the top prize at London 2010 Graduate Fashion Week Gala for her wardrobe inspired by paintings of Eastern European Jews.

Rebecca Thompson, 22, from the Manchester School of Art, said she was inspired by Roman Vishniac’s pictures of prewar shtetls.

The collection takes inspiration from the skilled tailoring that Ashkenazi Jews became renowned for, and features oversized bows, pleats and marl tracksuit bottoms.

Judges for the gala included Elle editor Lorraine Candy and designer Alberta Ferretti.