Again this years graduate fashion show season started with the University of Westminster’s BA Hons Fashion Design runway show in their Central London campus.
Kate Brittain, Niall Cottrell, Caroline Day, Roberta Einer, Milena Konakchieva, Chloe McGeehan, Robert Newman, Lucy James, Georgia Mottershead, Daniel McKinley, Danielle Nevin, Samuel Best, Matt Witcombe, Diana Misnei, Charlotte Scott, Robyn Priestley and Chloe McDonald, were the graduates showcasing their collections in front of a packed out venue of not just family and friends but top players in the industry.
The show started with Chloe Mcgeehan’s brightly coloured draped artworks that nodded nicely to abstract painting, but her virbant designs where not the only bright stand outs of the show. Kate Brittain send down some amazing oversized knitted leather creations with beautiful laced crochet details holding the garments together. The technical skills the designers aquire over their time at Wesminster are highlighted when you see a collection like this!
The menswear was as innovative as ever this year with Lucy James creating modern warriors with hand draw masks, and Robyn Priestley sending down men in white layerd and frilled bo peep esq sportswear pieces. Samuel Best had an interesting intepretation on traditional tailoring combining fabrication with experimental suiting. We just wish we could get up close to see all the hidden details in these garments.
There was no shortage or original textiles and fabrication work on the runway either. Danielle Nevin layered abstract shapes, straps and crackle effect fabric with what could have been hourse sadles and padding, while Daniel Mckinley stuck to yellow black and white for his painted workmen like outfits.
Westminster in renowned for getting its graduates prepared for when they enter the real world of fashion, so the graduates have already gained experience working with design houses including Balmain, Burberry Prorsum, Calvin Klein, Loewe, Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh, Alexander Wang and Vivienne Westwood the list could go on!
Over the past few years The University of Westminster’s has established a reputation for delivering quality, variety, excellence and exciting designs. The school has a list of success stories, most recent was last year’s graduate Mary Benson who debuted at London Fashion Week in February this year as part of Fashion East. She is following in the footsteps of previous alumni Claire Barrow, Ashley Williams and Liam Hodges.
“The graduates of 2015 have produced a sensational show, a real showcase of bright design talent combined with quality craftsmanship. At Westminster we have a proud tradition of combining inspirational creative teaching with professional skills training. Using our first-class links with the global fashion industry and the biggest names in the business, we give our students unrivalled opportunities to engage with industry during their course and build their own links to enable future career success. I look forward to following the careers of this year’s graduates as they develop into the future.” Says Andrew Groves, Course Director.
All the students this year seemed to push the boundaries of creativilty while ultimatley making weabale clothing, and there was a lot coming down the runway that we would like to be wear as soon as possible!
The University of Westminster also hosts a fashion portfolio day at a restaurant in Soho London on 27 May 2015. The presentation provides a great opportunity for the fashion industry to view in detial the work of tomorrow’s fashion designers. On display will be all of this year’s graduate portfolios which cover all areas of design including menswear, womenswear, sportswear and accessories, as well as examples of final outfits from their collections.
