May 31, 2024 |
Nothing quite hauls London’s fashion fans out of their various corners of the city quite like a Central Saint Martins show. Keen to find the next McQueen or Galliano, this year’s BA fashion show, supported by L’Oréal Professionnel, was healthy in its attendance, with each row packed to the brim with eager onlookers. As for the students, well, they put their best foot forward. A diverse display of the talent CSM continues to cultivate, a fair few stars were born last night and here at 10 Towers, we’ve selected our favourite bright sparks.
Marina Victoria Ocampo
Fashion print student Marina Victoria Ocampo put on a stellar showcase last night, leading to her being awarded the first runner-up place for the L’Oréal Professionnel Award. Wowing onlookers with her colour-blocked prints and rounded fringe, Ocampo’s recognition was well-deserved and indicative of a bright fashion future. Bella Koopman
Macy Grimshaw
Macy Grimshaw, who represented her BA fashion womenswear course with zeal Wednesday night, was one to watch. Having previously been awarded the JBNY Scholarship – an initiative to support international students enrolled on the course – the young talent presented her Rue De Mauricette collection to an audience delighted by its individuality. Featuring an assortment of unconventional silhouettes and collage work, it was fabulous to behold. BK
Alina Ispas
“For my mum, for my grannies, for my aunties, for all my female friends, for me, for all the beautiful generations of women before me and for the ones to come”, reads Alina Ispas’ Instagram caption, explaining the inspiration behind her final collection. Graduating from the BA fashion knitwear course, Ispas’ exquisite collection featured wide-brimming shoulders, twinning sets and crochet chaps, intermittently embellished with pearlescent beads. Sweet, sexy and strong, it was an unapologetic representation of womanhood and all its beauty. BK
Ella Douglas
BA fashion design and marketing student, Ella Douglas made sure to *prick* the interest of the fash pack yesterday, using her graduate collection to explore an array of experimental prints and materials, with one garment adorned entirely with spikes. With cuts that exposed arsecracks and hats with car fresheners hanging off the front, it was both classy and trashy in all the best ways. BK
Nodira Dadajonova
For her extravagant and ethereal final collection, Nodira Dadajonova received a spirited applause from the awe-inspired audience. Her fairy-like creations, blooming like flowers in the sun, meant she was awarded the second runner-up prize for the L’Oréal Professionnel Award and it was well and truly deserved. BK
Patrick Garvey
BA Fashion Knit student Patrick Garvey stole the show last night, sending his models down the CSM runway in crystallised garments fit for a mermaid. Drawing from a selective colour palette of pinks, whites and blues, the young creative took home L’Oréal Professionnel Award for his elegant designs. A bright future awaits. BK
Drew Kent
Liverpool-born knitwear designer and recipient of the BFC Scholarship, Drew Kent graduated with an eco-conscious collection bursting with vibrant colours. Using upcycled materials and punchinella sequin waste, the garments bloomed into voluminous florals. The gender-fluid designs told a story of self-discovery and queer joy while fostering a connection with environmentalism. Donna Choi
Anna Dewhirst
Knitwear designer Anna Dewhirst took a playful twist in her graduate collection, drawing inspiration from classic swimwear styles reminiscent of 1940s piscines in Paris. Swimming goggles, sarong wraps and swimming caps were all reimagined, elasticated and knit together to form red-carpet-worthy pieces in collaboration with Rainbow Loom. The innovative collection was certainly a showstopper. DC
Zac McGarry
A collision of cultural influences, Zac McGarry’s final collection for the BA fashion design and marketing course offered a flavourful taste of his many skills. Alongside corduroy blazers worn with matching trousers and a floral hoody, came slinky shimming gowns or twinsets doused in colourful graffiti-like prints. A kimono-like look came draped with soft Japanese floral fabrics and a tailored coat revealed a peak of chiffon flowing out from under its hem. It was the stuff of someone with a true sense of wanderlust. DC
Taehun Kim
Taehun Kim’s graduate collection was a fusion of function and fantasy, with costumes fit for an anime hero ready to face any obstacle. From the BA fashion design and marketing course, the collection bursted with a vibrant clash of voluminous silhouettes and military practicality. Black puffer jackets with turquoise air cushions plastered all-over were worn with rugged cargo pants adorned by straps, zippers and plenty of pockets. A dusty mauve puffer jacket had rope detailing dangling from it that felt reminiscent of octopus tentacles. The entire collection was like a sleek suit of armour, ready to conquer the post-graduate world. DC
Photography courtesy of Central Saint Martins.
