RELAYS supported University College Falmouth's (UCF) first large-scale foray into the world of the catwalk fashion show, which brought standing ovations from more than 600 spectators in the Fal River Festival marquee on Events Square recently.
Showcasing the talents of second-year students on UCF's BA(Hons) Fashion Design and BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design courses, the event was created and managed almost entirely by students from the College's range of degree courses including Public Relations; Press & Editorial Photography; Graphic Design; Textile Design; Digital Media, Spatial Design; Choreography and Music.
"This unique collaboration - the first of its kind at UCF - proved that our students have the talent and drive to put together a fully-fledged fashion show with only minimal guidance from professionals, pretty much from scratch," said Patrick Gottelier, joint Course Leader of BA(Hons) Fashion Design and BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design. "We were delighted with the quality of work on display and the dedication shown by students who are also hugely busy with other academic work at this time of the year."
The show culminated in BA(Hons) Fashion Design student, Elle Glen, being awarded the inaugural Most Promising Designer Prize, from the global, fashion online database for industry professionals, http://www.stylesight.com/ and the announcement of a new prize of £1,000 and an internship to be awarded to a future UCF fashion student by the international brand, Diesel.
Jane Gottelier, joint Course Leader of BA(Hons) Fashion Design and Performance Sportswear Design, said: "A success like this doesn't just materialise from nothing. It was the result of endless and relentless preparation by both students and staff, all of whom I am enormously proud. Fashion is 90% graft and 10% glamour, but the rewards can be amazing."
"It was incredible to see all our hours of effort come to fruition," said first-year BA(Hons) Public Relations student, Kelly Trainor. "Working on the show provided us all with a real insight into the hard work required and the satisfaction experienced from running a successful and well-received event."
In addition to the students' work, the show was a truly Cornish collaboration with models from around Cornwall - including Lisa Ann Hillman from TV's Britain's Next Top Model - strutting the catwalk, sporting hair, make-up and accessories supplied by some of the fashion industry's biggest international names including Toni & Guy, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Ally Capellino, Cutler & Gross and Rip Curl. Other companies working with UCF's students on this year's show included British Fashion Awards Designer of the Year 2008 and UCF Visiting Professor, Luella Bartley; Evisu; Puma; Gul; Finisterre; Brazilian swimwear company, Lenny; Tanya Sarne, founder of the Ghost label and her new line, handwritten; and Norintra, House of Fashion in Hong Kong.