Twenty-one final year BA (Hons) Fashion students paraded their creations on a ‘Secret Garden’ themed catwalk at a glittering affair at Southampton Guildhall. A culmination of three years hard work resulted in an eclectic show from the quirky to the commercial. 

Salvage and sustainability was a key theme what with Caroline Jackson’s award-winning ‘Glad Rags’ collection made from recycled garments boasting structure and volume and Michelle Rashbrook’s ‘Eden’ collection consisting of garments made purely from organic, ethically made fabrics.

Metallics were also a key trend with Katy Machin’s floral metallic fabrics and gold lame. This tied in with futuristic references from Amy Elwell’s collection where silhouettes were influenced by avant-garde architecture and Emily Peckham’s ‘Electric Frontier = Future Shock’ story with metallic spandex bodysuits creating the illusion of melted metal on the skin.

Femininity was prevalent on the catwalk in the form of chintzy-girly floral’s adorning Rachelle Carrson’s nostalgic fifties silhouettes, Harriet Beaumont’s vintage Barbie dolls and Zoe Laker’s ‘Mishmash’ of retro upholstery fabrics.

Shocking brights accented collections like Lisa Prowting’s sports-luxe-meets-superhero men’s collection in Nu-Rave hues whilst neutral, textured fabrics in soft ruffles married lime tulle and fuschia leggings at Louise Butland.

As well as these key trends, there were restrictive, fetishist creations, futuristic Tudor visions, Marc Jacobs meets nautical and couture-esque forms.

In addition to this, fashionistas became philanthropists by demonstrating their support towards The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Charity through donating all ticket sales to the cause, and highlighting the charities signature colour ‘yellow’ within a special first year collection.

Catch the show on a recorded web stream at www.solent.ac.uk/fashionshow

By Becky Lyon

Images by Camilla Seckin