Future couture
Graduates impress celebs in London
They are fashion’s future stars, the designers who will one day dress the great and the good.
Whi le their rope, shower curtains and futuristic foi l creat ions might appea r outlandish to most of us high street shoppers, in the fashion stakes these graduates are hot property.
The Graduate Fashion showcase at the Truman Brewery in east London attracts more than 30,000 industry insiders, visitors and celebrities each year and is an introduction to the fashion stars of the future.
Scots are leading the charge of eccentricity, with a dazzling col lection of entries f rom Edinburgh School of Art, Glasgow School of Art and Heriot-Watt University.
Michelle McAuley, 22, from Glenarm, Northern Ireland, is a f inal- year student f rom Edinburgh College of Art.
Her signature design is using unusual textiles, including rope.
She said: “My col lection explores the form of a woman’s body, creating sculptural form around the body made from 1400m of rope all individually sewn together, which allowed me to sculpt and mould the dress. The undergarments are hand-woven from butcher cord.
“I wanted to create a modern, vivid and unapologetically bold collection with a mix of sculptural and draped woven cuts.
“By study ing fashion at Edinburgh College of Art, we were encouraged to really push and think beyond traditional ideas of fashion.
“But if I was to specialise for me, I real ly enjoy textile development. As my graduate collection explores different mediums such as weave and knit, I want to continue to work with my hands as I see endless opportunities and possibilities.
“I’ve always been a maker. The
idea that you can create anything from nothing is exciting.
“Both of my grannies were seamstresses so I guess I was lucky enough to inherit their skills.”
Melissa Stevenson, 24, from Glasgow’s south side, is a f inal- year fashion student at Heriot-Watt University.
Her signature design is mixing futuristic with the past.
She said: “My collection is called A Fallen Tsar and is an exploration into how society engages with the omnipresent digital landscape we’re living in.
“Do our online profiles really state who we say we are? Do you really exist or are you an imposter? This was the main message behind my graduate collection but inspirations were far-reaching.
“In light of the centenary of the Russian Revolution, the
country’s history played a major role in setting the collection’s overall silhouette and final concept.
“Information around the imperial family and imposters of the missing Grand Duchess, Anastasia, meant the collection took a sleek and angular yet embellished direction.
“These elements were also mixed with inspirations that came from cult sci-fi films.”
Clothes are also on show from Lois Moyes, 22, from Oban, who studies at Heriot-Watt.
She said: “I want my clothes to be both escapism from stigma as well as a trigger to combat misconceptions. I’ve always found inspiration by questioning societal attitudes .” Graduate Fashion Week starts in London today.
We were encouraged to really push and think beyond traditional ideas of fashion