May 30

May 30 Central Saint Martins' BA Graduates Make Their Fashion Debut

Fashion Article, Fashion News, Fashion Show, London Fashion Week, Art/Exhibition

Outside of the regular scheduled fashion weeks, London will always look to the Central Saint Martin’s graduate shows as an indicator of what’s next in fashion.

The university is responsible for sculpting some of the most recognisable names in fashion history, with Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane and Phoebe Philo amongst its famed alumni. The fashion course is indisputably competitive to get into, as a graduates degree boasts as one of the most recognisable accolades for young designers.

The culmination of the three year course is the graduate show, which provides the opportunity for each designer to present their work for industry members and press. This years offerings were as beautiful as they were varied.

Eden Tan’s breathtaking creations earned them the coveted first place prize of the Loreal Professional Creative and Young Talent Award. Sending models down the runway holding rolls of fabric that formed their garments, Tan created leather slip dresses, slit denim designs, and tartan co-ord sets. Other garments, like the cotton mini dress and ribbed suit, had their fabrics unroll as the models paraded down the catwalk, creating a billowing cape of reusable fabric behind them. The effect was dramatic but decidedly light in tone, the award comes as no surprise to anyone who witnessed the collection.

In stark contrast, Finley TJ’s collection was entirely vulgar, dark and disruptive. Creating fabrics from disused cigarette butts woven into skirt and dresses, the garments contribute to a greater commentary of ‘queer rebellion’. Models shouted expletives and threw used cigarette butts over the audience causing upset to a number of high profile fashion writers and celebrities.

Between these two opposing design styles lay a myriad of collections, with over 100 graduates showing in total. The works of Ivan Delogu deserve a special mention due to their incredible use of fabrics made from joined clips, and metal works forming head pieces. The end result was an otherworldly and regal collection, powerful and inspirational work that earned them third place in the Loreal Professional awards.