The first catwalk show at Graduate Fashion Week started off with cheers from the audience, whilst the graduate’s designs captivated the audience. The Graduate Fashion Week collective show saw 6 universities showcase a variety of designs, including Falmouth University, The Glasgow School of Art, Greater Brighton Metropolitan College, Leeds Arts University, Plymouth College of Art, and Solent University.
The show saw dramatic music to suit each individual’s collection. Starting with Falmouth University, which has been ranked as the UK’s number one university for the creative industries for the third year running, graduates designs explored a multitude of different fabrics, textures and colours. Martha Mouat-Salkeld was one of the graduates using vibrant colour, with accessories as the focal point.
The Glasgow School of Art reflected it’s locations heritage, Scotland enjoys an evocative and distinguished history when its comes to cloth and clothing traditions and graduate Flint Mcdonald represented this with a mix of medieval styles using cutlery as headwear and hand held accessories.
Greater Brighton Metropolitan College, previously known as Northbrook College, showed a variety of block shapes and textures. Louise Salter showcased a mix of texture using shaggy jackets and multiple layered jackets.
Followed by Leeds Arts University, who portrayed some passionate messages, with graduate Amelia Russell in particular whose typography of ‘and the world will be as one.’ Matched with symbols and paint splatters the captivating designs were strutted down the catwalk accompanied by bold music.
Founded in 1856, Plymouth College of Art is a specialist independent Higher Education institution, which combines over 160 years of history with up-to-the-minute thinking and cutting-edge facilities. Demonstrated by Emily Hayward by her intricate use of typography, the messages written on the garments ‘don’t hide’ and ‘not good enough’ presented a strong meaning.
Solent University brought a cheer to the audience with their experimental techniques. Alexander Terris’ collection saw glitter embellished sequins complete with a sea of pink and gold dresses and jackets. The alluring combination was complete with matching sequin sunglasses on all the models.
Words by Emily Bone
Photography by Becky Mukerji