University students prepare for acclaimed graduate fashion show at Northampton theatre
BA Fashion students showcase their designs.
WALKING through the fashion workshops at the University of Northampton’s Avenue Campus, there is a distinct atmosphere of last minute nerves and a slight hint of tension in the air.
And the reason? The students there are busily finishing off their final year collections and are waiting to hear which talented individuals will be selected for the nationally acclaimed School of the Arts Graduate Fashion Show at the Royal & Derngate.
Nearly 3,000 people attended last year’s show and the bar has been set very high by previous students, some of whom have gone on to work for such high profile names as Alexander McQueen, Zandra Rhodes, Topshop, Per Una, Harrods, Chloe and Mulberry.
Much of the students’ work will be featured in the final catwalk shows, as well as a gallery exhibition at the Northampton Museum & Art Gallery.
This year’s show has been organised with the theme of Formula Fashion, acknowledging the county’s world-class leather and motorsport heritage.
Vicki Dean, acting divisional leader in the school’s fashion and textiles division, explained: “Expect the unexpected. On last year’s catwalk, collections were inspired by burlesque, the Salvation Army and ducks!
“This is a fantastic showcase for our graduates who are at the cutting edge of design – inspiring, motivated and dedicated students who break the mould, take calculated risks and are confident in their own winning formula.”
Students from fashion, textiles, marketing, footwear and accessories courses are currently putting their finishing touches to the designs for the exhibition as well as those they hope could appear in the show itself.
Many of the students have been sponsored or supported by local companies including Joseph Cheaney & Sons, Easirider and Lobb’s.
Jane Mills, course leader for fashion, textiles for fashion, footwear and accessories, said it is a challenge to select which designs should make it through to the final show.
He said: “It is difficult because the quality is high and the students have worked incredibly hard this year. We have to stress that the catwalk is not all about their degree, it doesn’t impact on their qualification. They are fashion students and the catwalk is very much an additional activity for them.”
She continued: “Work really starts for the students right at the beginning of their third year when they embark on their research, they choose a theme and are collating and sourcing material and doing samples.
“It is interesting to see how their initial ideas of what they were proposing to do grow and how they develop them.”
England, Japan and even steam trains are just some of the sources of inspiration for ambitious designs created by students ahead of this year’s University of Northampton Graduate Fashion Show.
The Chron visited the university last week to take a sneak peak at some of the bold creations which could make an appearance in this year’s catwalk show at the Royal & Derngate or the exhibition at the Northampton Museum & Art Gallery.
Student Sophie Hackett, aged 22, is specialising in footwear and accessories and has produced a collection of boots and shoes inspired by steam trains. She produced her designs with the help of Northampton footwear firm John Lobb.
She said: “The shoes are named after well known old steam trains and the collection is based on old steam trains. I wanted to pick a rugged, rustic, mannish idea. When I was doing my sketchwork what I saw was a lot of lines and that is where the designs came about for the boots.”
She added: “I do travel on trains quite a bit and think they are exciting because they take you on a journey and you don’t always know where you are going.
“I was lucky enough to gain sponsorship from John Lobb’s company. I approached a number of companies throughout Northampton and they got back to me saying they were interested in helping. That has been a real journey working with them.”
The idea for the knitwear and print fashion collection of 23-year-old Gemma Darby stemmed from the hotel where she once worked.
She took photos around the hotel of places not normally seen by the public, such as hidden, dirty pipework.
She said: “I like to take what people think is unattractive and turn it into something attractive.”
Meanwhile the title of 26-year-old Thom Neal’s fashion collection for men is DIE MIE (Designed in England, Made in England).
His collection includes a wide variety of fabrics of which the majority are made in England, including tweed from the Isle of Man and parachute lining from a company in Weymouth.
He said: “The two sheepskin coats were made in Northampton at Easirider, although the sheepskin comes from North America.
“It has been hard work but the results have been worth it.
“I have now got a job in Northampton designing bags for Choy Hope.”
He added: “There is a lot more interest now in what is made in the UK, China is very interested and Japan is very interested in English products. It has been the case that people wanted everything fast and cheap but people don’t always want that any more, they want a quality garment.”
Kelly Bull, aged 22, has designed a clothing collection for women which is entitled ‘U Can’t Control Me.’ Many of the pieces use latex as a material and contain unusual designs such as dolls’ faces.
She explained: “It was about how people can have control over each other. I have a daughter and my little girl controls me, not physically but in other ways, and I also looked at men and women to see how their relationships make a mark on people’s lives.
“I did a few experiments with latex and with this material you can make a mould, you can mould and control the fabric.
“It was very hard to work with it though as it is so fragile but that links with the control theme and I like that.”
Ellie Bevis, aged 22, a year three student specialising in textiles for fashion, used Japan and Japanese art as an inspiration for some of her colourful scarf designs. Her work was aided by a trip to the Japanese section of London’s Victoria & Albert Museum as well as Japan itself.
Ellie, whose work will be showcased in the exhibition rather than on the catwalk, said: “I have produced a range of scarves and a collection of pleated fabric I have hand painted.”
She continued: “For me, I’m so glad I didn’t decide to do catwalk as it has worked out for me so well, even from the first year I knew I wanted to do textiles and I have really been able to focus on my prints and what I am doing.”
The fashion shows will take place at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on June 22. Tickets are now on sale from the Royal & Derngate box office on Northampton 624811. Work by University of Northampton students will also be displayed at the museum until July 17.
Email to a friend
Print this page- BREAKING NEWS: Tributes paid to Niamh Curry as brave five-year-old loses battle against cancer
- BREAKING NEWS: Pensioner dies after collision at Northampton shopping centre
- Man tied to tree and beaten on Northampton Racecourse
- BREAKING NEWS: Woman’s body found after ‘suicide’ in Northampton hotel room
- BREAKING NEWS: Seven-year-old boy dies following house fire in Northamptonshire
- Northampton binmen at ‘breaking point’
- Staff strike at Northampton school over academy plans forces closure
- Saints’ stadium plans get support as long as traffic issues solved
- Eastern European pupils helping school standards across Northampton
- Exclusive: PM David Cameron says Northamptonshire Police Commissioner role is “a big job for a big local figure”
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Northampton
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.