We’re in the midst of graduate show season, where the next big designers show off their skills and talents. Middlesex University has one of the best fashion programmes, and with that comes some incredible graduate collections. The selection of collections shown at Middlesex’s show were chosen by Kim Howells, Vice’s Fashion-Editor-at-Large Kylie Griffiths and Zowie Broach (Head of Fashion at the Royal College of Art) among other industry greats, were some of the best graduate collections we’ve seen. Held in the The Vinyl Factory in Soho, the collections demonstrated the extraordinary talent of the Middlesex students, and proved their outstanding skills and techniques and why they could be the next big name in fashion.
Both womenswear and menswear collections were shown, with the extensive range of influences explored by the students obvious in the range of looks and styles they showed. From pastel pink suits to black wet-looking latex, nothing was off-limits. Charlotte Roden explored the concept of ‘fanboys’, using DIY fandom poster prints and punk tartan to create menswear that allowed her models to resemble a teenager’s bedroom wall. Kawaii and Barbie pink were Leanne Croshaw’s key words; using exaggerated silhouettes to create outlandish dresses not to dissimilar from china doll outfits, she used glitter, Minnie Mouse cut outs, ruffles and baby blue fur to show that girly girls really do have more fun. Flora Yun delved into delicately tailored pastel menswear, using pale pinks and greys to compliment the floral details and tailored perfection and Stephanie Akpakly also impressed with her menswear collection – think luxe moss greens, rich mulberry-hued, outlandishly oversized jackets and sleeves that reached the floor. There was the outlandish, the spectacular, the oversized and the wacky. These Middlesex graduates will go places.
Here are a few of our favourites:
