Graduating with Glamour
Tue, 23 Jul 2013 10:25:00 BST
Graduate Fashion Show in the Creative Arts atrium is the gala event of the summer season for Fashion fans, students and university friends across the region.
Tasked with a reviewing brief, First Year Fashion Communication students saw promising new designers emerging to compete on international stages for the future of the Fashion industry.
Emma Kelly celebrating soft, yet sharp lighting in an upbeat atmosphere, focussed on design, “ The garments themselves were exquisite. There were no has-beens in this show; every graduate piece shone with attention to detail - immaculate and on-trend.”
Boriss Novikos viewed the drama of the building complementing the designs, “Collections turned atmospheric, with various materials, textures and colours, as tailoring techniques and even deconstruction appeared with Wonderland style, sequins, animal masks, red, green and yellow, frills and neon themed laser cutting. Embellished ball gowns, half-length faux fur coats and colourful embroidery, made a contrast with men and women’s sportswear.
Interviewing, Agne Andriulionyte, before the show, he learned how her collection was inspired by light, and noted her use of shiny leather, bright colours, sequins and faux fur with rainbow-like gems.
Describing ‘serious budding designers’ promise, Sarah Storey’s favourite collections featured this summer’s popular white, inspired by ‘The Great Gatsby’ and recognised the challenge Huddersfield extends to others graduate output.
Bee Van Djis singled out Sophie Lawrence’s practical, humorous knitted beard hats, which ‘enhanced the designer’s other chunky knits’. She enjoyed Kay Wilcox’s wood panelled skirt which heralded a witty ‘architectural twist,’ throughout her collection, and amused audiences.
Commenting on design graduate Joanna Lomas’s collection, Jenna Randall praised its elegance and chic. “Three key pieces that were most eye-catching included: a beige and black body con maxi dress, a light pink t-shirt with a printed corset, paired with brown short sleeved cardigan and cream wide legged trousers.”
Recognising how Fashion speaks to individuals, Jelena Mursudova writes of ‘pride for our university’ and ‘something very personal.’ “All the clothes featured embroidery, exaggerated mufflers were prevailing. I’ll never forget that incredible combination of silk and chiffon with crude knit; it turned out to be so majestic.
“Another stand out collection was Chloe McAteer,’s sporty clothing, with a fun and feminine twist, with cut-outs at the waistline and bright colours,” Hana Saeed, details.
Finding Hollywood magic in the show she comments on the Joan Collins’ homage finale, as models ‘strutted down the catwalk confidently blowing air kisses to the audience. She felt the mode captured the mood with ‘white full length, very couture style dresses, with elaborate details, large fish scale sequins and tiny fabric roses.’
Grant Holmes, impressed by the subtle charms on view in the building’s Modern minimalist interior, writes of designs making most impact. “Claudia Schofield brought the first in a series of collections that featured a heavy glamour element. Her use of chiffons and silks that flowed and grasped the models bodies were mesmerizing. The details, the cut, it was all there. Again the designer stuck within a palette of whites and greys with injections of pastels and the reintroduction of flares.”
“The Joanna Lomas collection, bringing into play a brighter range of colours had a distinctly Gaultier vibe with a modern commercial twist,” he reports.
Reviewing Jessica Renner and Kay Wilcox, he writes of their designs polished appearance as well as their construction. “Renner’s collection paid homage to the classic white shirt by taking the traditional architecture and turning it into a series of jackets and shirts, giving them a new lease of practicality and style.”
Saying, “Cambridge satchels in neon colours? No thank you I’ll take a Renner bag any day,” he comments on her inclusion of a stylish yet functional clutch bag, made from two shirts and featuring their collars on its front.
Writing of the ‘exquisite craftsmanship that was the Kay Wilcox collection: “Her eye for design pushed what was possible in her chosen unusual materials, namely wood and paper. For that reason alone this was a special collection, with details that spoke of the countless hours she had clearly poured into it.”
Concluding, Grant Holmes adds, “Huddersfield has developed a reputation for breeding next generation design talent. With this show, it was easy to see just where that reputation comes from, and just how deserved it is.”
