For their 2013 Graduate Fashion Show and marketing exhibition
venue, American Intercontinental University (AIU) chose the spectacular One
Mayfair on North Audley Street. Formerly
St Mark’s Church, this Grade I building is one of the finest examples in London
of neo-classical designs. In the
centre of the impressive Grand Hall, the pure white minimalist runway
juxtaposed with the surrounding Gothic decor of ornately carved dark wood and
row of high stone arches creating a stunning and atmospheric setting.
The catwalk show included the collections of six final year fashion
design students:
Hazim Bangwar
Designs were a science fiction take on the legend of King Arthur with
the shapes and contours based on the Icelandic Volcano Eyjafjallajokull. A colour palette of white and fabric
including wide leather strips, the garments were reminiscent of the medieval
knights armour plate and layered in an armadillo design. Sparkling silver nets
used on sleeves and in between the strips represented the chainmail, whilst
chunky cotton ribbons knitted together like wool created a heavy and stiff
tunic. Knights in Shining Armour never looked so good.
Michelle Kasujja
In contrast to the cool Knights, Michelle Kasujja’s collection was a hot
blaze of spicy red shades and turquoise. A fusion of Ugandan and Scandinavian
traditional costume, hems of mid calf skirts were trimmed with decorative ribbons
and some of the sleeves took on the distinctive Ugandan style of elbow length
and broad puffed shoulders. Garments were adorned with rows of stiff thread necklaces
painted red to match the pieces. Jump suits and baggy trousers gave the
traditional dress an additional element of street wear.
Sarashka Bekhbat
Sarashka also chose a colour palette of rich red. This time with accents
of gold and black, and inspiration from Tibetan culture focusing on eastern
traditions with a dash of contemporary style. Using traditional hand craft
techniques, the collection emulated the ceremonial styles of Tibet. Textures
play a leading role with stiff cowhide and printed sheepskin jackets and
collars worn with soft merino felted wool and crumpled silk gowns. The punch
holes in the leather skirt were painstakingly all handmade by Sarashka.
Flaminia Mechoulam
Award winning design of the evening went to Flaminia Mechoulam’s
collection. All white for purity,
the inspirations were of Tracing Light, ballet and water droplets creating a
blurred femininity. Light fabrics of sheer cotton and georgette were layered
for the blurred matt transparent effect created by Tracing Light. Flaminia used approximately 100 metres
of fabric for the collection. The cut of the garments were of round shapes and
circles to create curves around the body and represent ballet movements. She imagined a girl in a white gown
dancing on the water and swimming underwater. The delicate hand painted pattern
represents water droplets and a dusty layer of chalk as though the garment is
drying in patches. The pattern was created by using a brush made from paper for
the dusty marks and a pencil to splash on the water droplets. Finishing details
included a picot edge stitch creating a curl to the hems and sleeves for volume
and femininity.
And the boys were not forgotten:
Zaira Xitlalitl Aguilar Santoyo blends nomadic heritage
with city life creating a flamboyant sartorial collection reminiscent of the Harlem
Jazz scene Zoot suit of baggy trousers and long sack jackets. Here in toned
down blocks of earthy brown and neutral shades with accents of red on trousers
and the wide cravat tie.
Taylor Scopes-Upton
Award winner of last
year’s December Fashion Show, Taylor creates an urban male lost in a concrete
jungle with no awareness of heritage. This well dressed wanderer wears warm
voluminous coats and jackets, striped knitted and waxed denim leggings, and
chunky knits with a chunky knit shopping bag on wheels for all his possessions.
Images provided by AIU London
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