Graduates 2015 pre-show Exhibition. I grabbed some images using my mobile phone (just like everyone else…)
The Graduates 2015 Central Institute of Technology’s Fashion & Textile Graduate Runway Show was a hugely cohesive and a very ‘Ready to Wear’ show.
First of all, I have to say I was very impressed with the students’ folio exhibition that accompanied the show. Each student had a folio of textile design along with proof of their concept development for garments to be presented in the show, which formed part of the pre-show exhibition. The quality of the pre-show heightened by my expectations for what I would see on the runway. The visuals were impeccable. Every detail was superb, and I mean each element was properly designed and presented, and that could be seen from the seating tags right through to the ticket design.
After what I thought to be quite a long opening ceremony/speeches/awards the show started. I should mention here also that, for the first time in seven years, I was seated at the show. I wasn’t taking photos (WHAT? Yes, really) and instead, I was simply watching while trusting my right hand man, Aron Lee, to capture all the garments. For that reason, I don’t really have garment photos to share with you here (yet).
I mentioned earlier about how cohesive the whole show was. So much so that when I came back home last night it almost felt like I had watched a show by a one designer. I know that this may sound fairly negative but hold your judgement until I finish.
Pattern cuttings were bold but not outrageous. I saw a variety of materials being used. Some finishing in construction was good and some were not so good. What was missing were conventional gowns or cocktail dresses. It was all very 21st century or rather futuristic. There were a couple of experimental works but apart from those the entire show presented extremely wearable and ‘commercially ready’ work. I wouldn’t go so far as saying they were slick and refined. I think I was hoping for the wonderfully adventurous or maybe the fabulously crazy, but that wasn’t what this show was about. I loved what I saw but I wasn’t WOW’d by it.
Having said all that, my heart was arrested when Elle Campbell’s collection Solace came out. I would love to get Elle to make this jacket for me. I don’t know how much it would cost. I may have to sell my kidney or a limb but I just love it.
I’m off to see Curtin’s Graduate Show today. Will I see some outrageously adventurous stuff then?
Images from Elle Campbell’s Portfolio Site – http://ellecampbellart.wix.com/portfolio
