Amelia’s Magazine | Fashion Scout SS15 Graduate Showcase

Grace Weller by Karolina Burdon
Grace Weller by Karolina Burdon.

As the fashion world gears up for the next edition of London Fashion Week here is a reminder of the amazing graduate talent that feeds our show schedules, with some of the finest Graduate designers featured in last September’s Fashion Scout Graduate Showcase.

FS graduate showcase SS 2015 grace weller
Bath Spa graduate Grace Weller was a Graduate Fashion Week Winner, creating intricate sheer gowns covered in flamboyant red flowers.

Quoï Alexander by Sine Skau
Quoï Alexander by Sine Skau.

Quoi Alexander is a Central Saint Martins graduate who specialises in intricate woven garments, layering multiple threads and ribbons on top of each other to create an appealing dishevelled rag rug effect.

FS graduate showcase SS 2015holly jayne
Holly Jayne Smith’s bold style has a distinct 80s feel, with graphic monochrome zigzags paired with flared skirts and eye catching headwear.

Emma Hardstaff by Alison Day-2
Emma Hardstaff by Alison Day.

Emma Hardstaff is an RCA graduate working with colourful metallics and netting layers to create voluminous shapes.

Categories ,Alison Day, ,Bath Spa, ,Emma Hardstaff, ,Fashion Scout, ,Grace Weller, ,Graduate Fashion Week, ,Holly Jayne Smith, ,Karolina Burdon, ,London Fashion Week, ,Quoi Alexander, ,S/S 2015, ,Sine Skau, ,SS15

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Amelia’s Magazine | Graduate Fashion Week 2010: Bath Spa


Nicola Roberts, dosage illustrated by Jenny Robins

So it was time to wrap up what was a pretty crazy week in the form of the Graduate Fashion Week Gala Show. After making arrangements for a ticket a while ago, viagra 60mg I was bemused to find that at the door there was no sign of said tickets.

Perhaps it had been taken by another contributor? Unlikely. ‘Are you sure you’re supposed to be at this (star-studded) show?’ ‘Yes’ I said, ‘that’s why I’m wearing a bow tie’.

After a few quick radio calls, I was allowed in. Into Earl’s Court, that is – not into the champagne drinks reception. ‘Sponsors only’ was the reply when I asked if I could have a quick drinkie. ‘Sponsors only my eye’ I thought, as I recognised half the people in the fashionably-roped off bar area.

So I waited patiently at the entrance to the theatre. And waited.

And waited.

‘We’ll get you in,’ I was told. ‘Before it actually starts?’ I thought to myself.

As I waited I was entertained by a lovely student called April who could see my blood boiling – stood a little distance away to avoid the steam coming out of my ears. ‘After all I’ve bloody done this week,’ I thought to myself, and then said aloud to April, who quickly excused herself.

Finally I was allowed inside and ushered into a press seat, and, true to form at these events, there were three seats either side of me that remained empty. ‘Typical!’ I thought to myself, and then thought I really should stop thinking to myself so much.

With a few whoops and a whizz, the Gala Show kicked off in fabulous fashion, with Britain’s Got Talent champions Diversity. Fun. Next, Caryn Franklin, resplendent as ever, arrived on stage. It was a whistle-stop tour through the non-catwalk-based awards, including those for fashion marketing and promotion. I was pleased to see Northumbria added a few more to their metaphorical mantelpiece.

A host of celebs had turned up, and from my seat I could spot front-row regular Erin O’Connor (who later presented an award), Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud fame (who has quickly swapped pop for paps, Fashion Week regular that she is). I even brushed past her on my way to the loo, and she is genuinely gorgeous in real life.


Another Nicola Roberts, illustrated by Antonia Parker

It’s always great to see the wonderful Hilary Alexander (who I had the pleasure of sitting next to at the Northumbria Show) who presented mature student Ellen Devall with the ‘First Word’ Journalism Award, because it left her ‘wanting to know more.’

Another of my favourite spots was Barbara Hulanicki, who was here to present the Textile Award to Natalie Murray from Northumbria University. She’s utterly bonkers but gosh what a woman.


Barbara Hulanicki, illustrated by Abi Daker

Onto the main event – the Gala Show(case). I was thrilled to see many of the graduates we’d already talked about on the website appearing in this Best of the Best-style show, including Naomi New from Northumbria (one of my personal favourites from GFW as a whole) and Northbrook’s Rhea Fields.

The staging for this was incredible, and justified the ghaslty white sheet that hung in the background for the first part of the show. It burst down to reveal a scaffolding set, where models pouted, lights flashed, and the music roared.

So, the winners then. With the inclusion of the International Show this year, it was great to see them honoured with an award, which must have been a great end to a fantastic week for International Students. The winner, Roya Hesam from the Amsterdam Fashion Institute won over the judges with her minimalist collection.

Pretty soon afterwards, out popped everybody’s favourite glamorous granny, Zandra Rhodes, to present her Textiles Award.

The competition was fierce here – all were fantastic – but it was Anna Lee’s literally fierce collection of big cat prints that triumphed.

Dylan Jones, editor of GQ Magazine, presented Thomas Crisp of Ravensbourne with the marvellous Menswear prize, owing to his sleek, sophisticated tailoring.


Dylan Jones, illustrated by June Chanpoomidole

Rhea Fields (yay!) from Northbrook college won the womenswear award for her covetable collection and unique use of materials, presented by Mark Eley of Eley Kishimoto.


Mark Eley, illustrated by Lisa Billvik

So, the moment we’d all waited for (and in my case queued, sweated and been reduced to tears for) was the River Island Gold Award. God knows how the likes of River Island design director Naomi Dominique, Lorraine Candy of Elle and Kim Jones chose the winner, but it was down to fellow judge Alberta Ferretti to present the award.


Alberta Ferretti, illustrated by Paolo Caravello

And the winner was…

…Rebecca Thompson from Manchester Met! Thoroughly deserved for her inspirational collection. Alberta Ferretti proclaimed that Rebecca had triumphed because of her ‘unusual and interesting combination of fabrics and for the contemporary feeling of her collection’.

As the ticker tape covered Rebecca and her models, I thought to myself,’What a freakin’ fabulous week.’


Nicola Roberts, viagra approved illustrated by Jenny Robins

So it was time to wrap up what was a pretty crazy week in the form of the Graduate Fashion Week Gala Show. After making arrangements for a ticket a while ago, medical I was bemused to find that at the door there was no sign of said tickets.

Perhaps it had been taken by another contributor? Unlikely. ‘Are you sure you’re supposed to be at this (star-studded) show?’ ‘Yes’ I said, ‘that’s why I’m wearing a bow tie’.

After a few quick radio calls, I was allowed in. Into Earl’s Court, that is – not into the champagne drinks reception. ‘Sponsors only’ was the reply when I asked if I could have a quick drinkie. ‘Sponsors only my eye’ I thought, as I recognised half the people in the fashionably-roped off bar area.

So I waited patiently at the entrance to the theatre. And waited.

And waited.

‘We’ll get you in,’ I was told. ‘Before it actually starts?’ I thought to myself.

As I waited I was entertained by a lovely student called April who could see my blood boiling – stood a little distance away to avoid the steam coming out of my ears. ‘After all I’ve bloody done this week,’ I thought to myself, and then said aloud to April, who quickly excused herself.

Finally I was allowed inside and ushered into a press seat, and, true to form at these events, there were three seats either side of me that remained empty. ‘Typical!’ I thought to myself, and then thought I really should stop thinking to myself so much.

With a few whoops and a whizz, the Gala Show kicked off in fabulous fashion, with Britain’s Got Talent champions Diversity. Fun. Next, Caryn Franklin, resplendent as ever, arrived on stage. It was a whistle-stop tour through the non-catwalk-based awards, including those for fashion marketing and promotion. I was pleased to see Northumbria added a few more to their metaphorical mantelpiece.

A host of celebs had turned up, and from my seat I could spot front-row regular Erin O’Connor (who later presented an award), Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud fame (who has quickly swapped pop for paps, Fashion Week regular that she is). I even brushed past her on my way to the loo, and she is genuinely gorgeous in real life.


Another Nicola Roberts, illustrated by Antonia Parker

It’s always great to see the wonderful Hilary Alexander (who I had the pleasure of sitting next to at the Northumbria Show) who presented mature student Ellen Devall with the ‘First Word’ Journalism Award, because it left her ‘wanting to know more.’

Another of my favourite spots was Barbara Hulanicki, who was here to present the Textile Award to Natalie Murray from Northumbria University. She’s utterly bonkers but gosh what a woman.


Barbara Hulanicki, illustrated by Abi Daker

Onto the main event – the Gala Show(case). I was thrilled to see many of the graduates we’d already talked about on the website appearing in this Best of the Best-style show, including Naomi New from Northumbria (one of my personal favourites from GFW as a whole) and Northbrook’s Rhea Fields.

The staging for this was incredible, and justified the ghaslty white sheet that hung in the background for the first part of the show. It burst down to reveal a scaffolding set, where models pouted, lights flashed, and the music roared.

So, the winners then. With the inclusion of the International Show this year, it was great to see them honoured with an award, which must have been a great end to a fantastic week for International Students. The winner, Roya Hesam from the Amsterdam Fashion Institute won over the judges with her minimalist collection.

Pretty soon afterwards, out popped everybody’s favourite glamorous granny, Zandra Rhodes, to present her Textiles Award.

The competition was fierce here – all were fantastic – but it was Anna Lee’s literally fierce collection of big cat prints that triumphed.

Dylan Jones, editor of GQ Magazine, presented Thomas Crisp of Ravensbourne with the marvellous Menswear prize, owing to his sleek, sophisticated tailoring.


Dylan Jones, illustrated by June Chanpoomidole

Rhea Fields (yay!) from Northbrook college won the womenswear award for her covetable collection and unique use of materials, presented by Mark Eley of Eley Kishimoto.


Mark Eley, illustrated by Lisa Billvik

So, the moment we’d all waited for (and in my case queued, sweated and been reduced to tears for) was the River Island Gold Award. God knows how the likes of River Island design director Naomi Dominique, Lorraine Candy of Elle and Kim Jones chose the winner, but it was down to fellow judge Alberta Ferretti to present the award.


Alberta Ferretti, illustrated by Paolo Caravello

And the winner was…

…Rebecca Thompson from Manchester Met! Thoroughly deserved for her inspirational collection. Alberta Ferretti proclaimed that Rebecca had triumphed because of her ‘unusual and interesting combination of fabrics and for the contemporary feeling of her collection’.

As the ticker tape covered Rebecca and her models, I thought to myself,’What a freakin’ fabulous week.’


Ruth Strugnell

Bath Spa’s electric and original collections show they’re not afraid to mix things up at Graduate Fashion Week. 

Bath Spa began with all guns blazing for their boutique show with Bournemouth, this web setting the scene with a soundtrack of haunting thunder and lightning. As suspense grew, page a model stepped into the spot light…with a lampshade on her head. As more models filtered onto the catwalk, Ruth Strugnell’s quirky eccentricity became clearer in garments that made the most of mismatching, from multicoloured socks to panels composed of various prints and wools. Despite looking like they might’ve had a tussle in a dressing up box, the models’ nipped in waists and cute, soft take on the harem pants added a sense of maturity and direction to the pieces.  

Jack Duffy mixed things up again with clashing prints and a melding of culture; oversize jackets suggested elements of Eastern tradition, whilst large, ornate collars mould themselves round the body into demi-hoods more befitting of European nobility. 

Thierry Davies’s hypnotic monochrome prints bend the mind but when paired with a neat, boxy jacket a line of harmony seems to be drawn amongst the chaos. Another perennial favourite of this year appears again – the jump-suit, this time spruced up with a dramatic contrast between blue and white sections. 

Jodie Clay’s garments varied from the loose, long hem of her black jacket to the glitz of a bespoke neckpiece and sheer blouse. The wardrobe of the 1920s women was re-examined in the modern context and energised with splashes of murky blues, but held an element of reticent class.

Natalie Ellis’s use of vintage fur coats and gloves reminded us of the staple role they played in the wardrobes of women gone by, but cropped double colour trousers were a reminder of Ellis’s unfailing dedication to modernity. Interesting shapes appeared on the body as high waisted trousers split cream khaki and black across the body, complimented by ethereal, floating blouses and fur barrel bags. 
*Here at Amelia’s Magazine we don’t advocate any wearing of fur at all, so we hope this is fake, otherwise, DON’T WEAR IT!*

Outi Silvola deconstructed apparel in the most immediate sense, repositioning collars, shoulders and buttons to give a mixed up feel that wouldn’t look out-of-place in Dover Street Market. A fully made collar placed forward on the body was a walking work of art. A shirt is at once open at yet concealing the figure, showing a careful appreciation of the simple practise of putting clothes on the human body. 

Photographs by Sally Mumby Croft

Categories ,1920s, ,art, ,Bath Spa, ,Dover Street Market, ,Earls Court, ,European nobility, ,Glitz, ,Gloves, ,Graduate Fashion Week 2010, ,Harem pants, ,Jack Duffy, ,Jodie Clay, ,Khaki, ,Lampshades, ,london, ,menswear, ,Natalie Ellis, ,Outi Silvola, ,Ruth Strugnell, ,Thierry Davies, ,vintage, ,Womenswear

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Amelia’s Magazine | Free Range Art & Design Show 2014: Fine Art Exhibition Review

Free range lydia reeves
Dominance, Power and Serene Harmony (1) by Lydia Reeves.

It’s late I know, but I have just one more review left from a summer of graduate shows; the Free Range Art & Design Show Fine Art exhibition at the Truman Brewery. This is always a mixed bag but there were many things to delight at this year’s show.

Free Range Marjan Saberi, Renunciation
At Northumbria University show Marjan Saberi took a modern view of Renunciation with life size paintings grabbing the viewer at the entrance.

Free Range Max Harrison
It was not saying anything particularly new but I could not help but be drawn to Max Harrison’s huge splatter paint installation.

Free Range Sean Halcrow-cook installation
Sean Halcrow-Cook used wigs, extrusions and kitsch oddments to create an outsized site specific installation in the light well. It shouldn’t have worked but it somehow did.

Free Range Ryan Dovenor
Ryan Dovenor used delicate lines on black to create whirling sliced hypnotic illustrations.

Free Range Dogs, by Liam Sanders
Dogs were the theme for a large painting by Liam Sanders.

Free Range installation by Emma Trenchard
Oddly beautiful light installation by Emma Trenchard.

Free Range newcastle poster
I particularly loved the hand screen printed posters for the Newcastle Fine Art Degree Show, where a certain abstract style prevailed that I was drawn to.

Free Range Phil Frankland
Phil Frankland’s globes of juicy colour were slashed and rearranged into oddly familiar shapes.

Free Range Joseph Christa Michael
Joseph Christa Michael’s abstractions reminded me of paintings by Francis Bacon: fleshy with meat colouring.

Free Range newcastle 2
Free Range newcastle
I sadly did not get the names of all the artists at Newcastle but I liked the paintings above too. Get in touch if you know who I should credit them to!

Free range traci moss
Free range traci moss buttons
Free range traci moss animals
Northbrook College put on another strong exhibition. I was very intrigued by this curious little button person by Traci Moss. She also stuffed and dressed a variety of large animals to bold effect.

Free Range Hannah Lucy Whitlock
Hannah Lucy Whitlock’s splurgy daubs tapped into a popular aesthetic this year.

Free range Laura Patience
These chewed-up sweets spilling out of a stuffed chick are a commentary on the use of colour to make the repugnant appealing, by Laura Patience.

Free range Megan Ilet Mackie
Megan Ilet Mackie recycled old crockery for her toppling towers.

Free range Birds by Penni Pierce
These tactile ceramic birds are by Penni Pierce at University for the Creative Arts, Canterbury.

free range bath spa
This was at the entrance to the Bath Spa University exhibition space when I looked around – not a good look!

Free range Abigail Winter
Abigail Winter pictured friends and family in a gigantic photorealist paintings.

Free range toby lennox hilton
Toby Lennox Hilton made pixelated art inspired by digital images gone wrong. Grrrr, I know this pain all too well.

Free range Charlotte Lewis fabric tunnel
Charlotte Lewis created this colourful fabric tunnel.

free range painting
I really really loved these paintings by Becky Dodds, who is inspired by the transient nature of landscapes. The paint seems to be transforming in front of the viewer’s eyes and is just beautiful up close.

free range notes
Free range moon
Betty Hall really opened her heart in this anecdotal collection of miniature artworks.

Free range lydia reeves penis
Arts University Bournemouth students were notable for their professional online presence: other fine art courses could learn a thing or two. Lydia Reeves‘ loving depictions of penises are not for those of a nervous disposition, but I find them oddly beautiful.

Free range kerry fairclough
Kerry Fairclough’s kitsch paintings depict the everyday elements of life with deep affection. An Englishman’s Home is His Castle indeed.

Free range sam taylor
For Sam Taylor Size Matters, in this surreal manifestation of strange creatures with peculiar phallas cavorting on an altar.

Finally, I fell for this moving light installation by Sophie Newton, with a projection on rounded objects that reminded me of eyeballs and jellyfish.

Categories ,2014, ,Abigail Winter, ,An Englishman’s Home is His Castle, ,Arts University Bournemouth, ,Bath Spa, ,Bath Spa University, ,Becky Dodds, ,Betty Hall, ,Canterbury, ,Charlotte Lewis, ,Emma Trenchard, ,Fine Art, ,Free Range Art & Design Show, ,Hannah Lucy Whitlock, ,Joseph Christa Michael, ,Kerry Fairclough, ,Laura Patience, ,Liam Sanders, ,Lydia Reeves, ,Marjan Saberi, ,Max Harrison, ,Megan Ilet Mackie, ,Newcastle Fine Art Degree Show, ,Northbrook College, ,Northumbria University, ,Penni Pierce, ,Phil Frankland, ,Renunciation, ,review, ,Ryan Dovenor, ,Sam Taylor, ,Sean Halcrow-Cook, ,Size Matters, ,Sophie Newton, ,Toby Lennox Hilton, ,Traci Moss, ,Truman Brewery, ,University for the Creative Arts

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Amelia’s Magazine | Best of D&AD New Blood Graphic Design Graduates 2011

New Blood show review 2011 Dawn Cooper
Illustration by Dawn Cooper.

Shh, adiposity I know that the D&AD New Blood exhibition was held absolutely months ago… but I would rather play catch up than leave all this talent behind. And besides, this blog was all prewritten – I just needed to post the bugger. Here then are the best of the graphic designers that I found, with possibly a few illustrators thrown in too as it can be hard to distinguish between the two at times.

New Blood show review 2011-Dawn Cooper
There was some wonderful work at Bath School of Art and Design: illustrations for The Outsider by Albert Camus illustrated by Dawn Cooper produced some beautiful prints.

New Blood show review 2011-Charles Van Der Essen
I thought Charles Van Der Essen‘s Atom self portrait poster was rather wonderful, as was his primary coloured beetle waving a spanner on a BMX bike.

New Blood show review 2011-David Otokpa's Eggs (Humanity)
At American Intercontinental I liked David Otokpa‘s Eggs (Humanity), a photo of many sized eggs to represent the similarities of all humans.

New Blood show review 2011-Juliana Roldao orishas
New Blood show review 2011-Juliana Roldao orishas
New Blood show review 2011-Juliana Roldao orishas
New Blood show review 2011-Juliana Roldao orishas
From Middlesex University Juliana Roldao had produced Orishas, a beautiful screenprinted book in barely there neons and black.

New Blood show review 2011-christine harrison
New Blood show review 2011-christine harrison
At Nottingham Trent Uni Christine Harrison‘s Elton the Abominable Snowman and zoetrope caught my eye.

New Blood show review 2011-samuel jones
New Blood show review 2011-samuel jones
Over at Huddersfield I liked Unleashed illustrations by Samuel Jones, which were rendered in a very basic colour range to great success.

New Blood show review 2011-Aaron Vohra
New Blood show review 2011-Aaron Vohra
A very similar colour palette was used by Aaron Vohra, who tackled people in graphics with a faintly 50s style.

New Blood show review 2011-Zane Aldere
At the University of Bedfordshire the force of Nobrow was strong: especially for Zane Aldere, who produced a hand scene printed book that tells four versions of Little Red Riding Hood in concertina form.

New Blood show review 2011-Julia Kisselmann
New Blood show review 2011-New Blood show review 2011-Julia Kisselmann
Julia Kisselmann had produced a lovely series of hand screenprinted prints, Transmutation, inspired by patterns in nature.

New Blood show review 2011-amy collins collin banana
New Blood show review 2011-amy collins collin banana
I do love a bit of a wild card: at Loughborough University Amy Collins showed a purple hippo and featured bird from her Collin Banana Circus project – she hopes to go into animation.

New Blood show review 2011-Bertie the Ickle Pickle Bean
Carolyn Bayley‘s Bertie the Ickle Pickle Bean for a book by Rosie Collins reminded me of the simplicity of Simone Lia‘s work.

More coming up soon…

Categories ,Aaron Vohra, ,Albert Camus, ,American Intercontinental, ,Amy Collins, ,Atom, ,Bath School of Art and Design, ,Bath Spa, ,Bertie the Ickle Pickle Bean, ,Buckinghamshire New University, ,Carolyn Bayley, ,Charles Van Der Essen, ,Christine Harrison, ,Collin Banana Circus, ,D&AD, ,David Otokpa, ,Dawn Cooper, ,Deepwater Horizon, ,Eggs (Humanity), ,Elton the Abominable Snowman, ,Fakery, ,Graphic Design, ,Huddersfield, ,James Rogers, ,John Ellis, ,Julia Kisselmann, ,Juliana Roldao, ,Little Red Riding Hood, ,Loughborough University, ,MIddlesex Univerisity, ,New Blood, ,Nobrow, ,Northumbria University, ,Nottingham Trent University, ,Orishas, ,Rosie Collins, ,Sheffield Hallam, ,Sheffield Institute of Arts, ,Simone Lia, ,Transmutation, ,typography, ,University of Bedfordshire, ,University of Huddersfield, ,Unleashed, ,Zane Aldere, ,Zoetrope

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