GFW and Rave In-House Show

Having spent a fair amount of time helping the third years prepare for the shows I was excited to see it all come together both at Graduate Fashion Week and at Ravensbourne's in house show. It was good to dress both and although I've dressed before it was slightly different, perhaps more intense as instead of answering to one designer you were answering to 25+...Scary, exciting and a bit of everything else! The experience definitely made me sit up a little straighter and rattled the motivation jar to (continue) working my butt off at all times.

set up for the in house show

For the last weeks in the run up to the shows I was working with a great designer helping her finish her collection. Check out her work here http://tabithawilliamson.com/. Her collection could be described as apocalyptic chic - beautiful billowing draping and elongated, sensual silhouettes of strong, powerful women.
I spent time laser cutting and weaving to create textile surfaces for skirts and a jumper among other little bits and pieces, I really loved it and learnt a hell of a lot in a short space of time.

You can view her graduate collection here:

 http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/autumn-winter-2013/ready-to-wear/ravensbourne/full-length-photos/gallery/984768

Graduate Fashion Week itself was kind of a blur. We were in and setting up and dressing and out again so fast. I remember backstage however there was such an atmosphere, everyone in the room regardless of their level felt so invested in the work. There was a buzz. A hubub. We all wanted it to go well and have to say it really did.

Even listening to the music backstage you could picture the collections going down the catwalk and there were some really great music choices. Lil Mama's 'Lipgloss' was a highlight, which accompanied a colour popping, badge adorned gir-gang inspired collection by Phiney Pet, one of my favourites. 

Have a look at her work here http://www.demotix.com/news/2145026/ravensbourne-college-design-phiney-pet-graduate-fashion-week#media-2141319 or here phineypet.com

Here are some behind the scenes snaps of some more of my favourites:

Sofie Malmgren

Tabitha Williamson

Chen-Yu Wang 

Patricia Williams 

Our stand was minimal and restrained compared to others; it was a mature approach and the work spoke for itself. I felt the tents and winnebagos and little boxes were a bit much.. 

Have to mention one of my favourite portfolios of the day was Rebecca Howarth's from Manchester  (http://rhowarth.tumblr.com/ ) her combinations of imagery and illustration were dead on point and her layouts were really strong too. 

Really great fun at both days!

Jacket - Vintage
Trousers - Zara