Graduate Fashion Week

Graduate Fashion Week 

Unable to make last years Graduate fashion week this years lead up had a buzz of excitement surrounding it, keen to see the competition and fresh collections from various universities. Especially knowing that the one and only icon Daphne Guinness would be judging the competition. 

When entering earls court the atmosphere in the building was inspiring you almost initially felt creative with stalls after stalls filled with beautiful statement garments. With my final year approaching not only the garments and prints but the layout and presentation of the stalls caught my attention, analyzing what worked and what didn't. As well as how I want my own final collection to look and feel. 

Colchester Institute stall was really impressive the garments where categorized into  collections other then jumbled together. You got a real feel of what the collections where about as well as fully appreciating each individual garments, and with out being bias was one of the most successful stalls at the event.  The layout was clear and eye opening with a ‘Colchester institute Fashion and Textiles’ sign hovering above the collections.  It was particularly handy to have individual fliers representing each of the students collections. An aspect to consider when next years graduate fashion week occurs. 

As well as the stall being a success student Harriet Simons was a huge success crowning her a winner for the children's wear for george. The prints where colorful and playful, created through the technique drawing on the screen. My particular favorite being the puffin jump suit which consisted of vibrant orange, yellow and sky blue broken down through a scattered repeated pattern. 

Shoes shoes shoes!

As well as the amazing garments and decorative techniques such as embellishment and embroidery used through out various collections from different universities, the range of shoe designs particularly caught ones attention.  These robotic shoes had a futuristic theme, using knots and bolds as decorative characteristics really stood them out from the crowd. Possibly one of my favorite pieces of work found at graduate fashion week. The materials and colour linked in well with the theme and made them individual statement shoes a must have in every wardrobe and collection in my opinion. 

Looking at the catwalk collection three individual garments stood out to me the first of which being a simple knee length coat with a geometric black and white print, created through leather and silk weaving. The pattern divided into sections to create a positive and negative effect through the contrasting black and white colour palette. To add decorative statement to the modern garment  a double stand up collar, a off centre chunky zip and metal studs are used to emphasis a change in pattern and shape. 

Moving onto knit wear this classic knit pencil skirt and chunky knitted jumper had a sense of elegance to it, once again using a simple black and white contrasting colour palette. The two toned knitted pattern resembles chain mail adding a quirky element to the garment.

With a splash off colour the next garment unlike the first two had a relaxed, free spirited vibe to it. Using a dip dyed effect to wash out the the pale blues and pinks. The flared hem exaggerates the movement and flow of the top capturing the full impact when worn. 

Graduate fashion can defiantly be recommended as a must see it is inspirational and a fantastic day out. so schedule it into your diaries for next year.