The University of Salford catwalk embraced their broad design education that is taught in the institute. Salford uses a contemporary practice in fashion industry and encourages individual creativity in Fashion Design, Fashion Image Making and Styling. The catwalk provided fast paced music during the show and the atmosphere was full of cheers and applause throughout.
The models slick back hair complimented the vibrant designs and bold accessories. This included models holding mannequin heads, models wearing robot masks from Hafsa Waseem’s collection and long LED tubes with disco ball earrings.
Colour and textures were diverse throughout ranging from neon hues, floral prints and printed textures, as well as velvet, clear PVC and metallic silver and gold. Diversity was shown throughout, particularly in Rachel Green’s collection where she used all mature female models, strutting down the catwalk in satin pink and floral design dresses.
Shock worthy garments included Barbara Bechta’s pieces consisting of a wooden frame eveloped by feathers attached to the back of a jacket emulating the look of wings. Whilst Yunrao Chen’s issue based collection saw an appeal to recycle with the models carrying a bag of plastic bottles, a bag of dead fish, writing down trouser leg of ‘the last straw’, a link to the current issues and straw ban, finished with a sign saying ‘just f***ing recycle’.
All graduates for the show have been in work placements with big industry names whilst studying, including working for Molly Goddard and AX Paris.The University concentrates on fashion, and develops not just high levels of analytical skills, critical judgment and the ability to learn independently, but also helps students acquire technical skills and the understanding necessary for the effective realisation of creative fashion concepts.
Words by Emily Bone
Photography by Becky Mukerji