Fashion Show

After what can only be described as an exhausting and chaotic past two weeks I can finally show you some photos from The Mid-Cheshire College Fashion Show 2011.

Every year I have worked & organised back stage, which I am more than happy to do as it always starts out so quiet & peaceful.(Which is a welcome break from the norm) The photos below are mostly backstage random shots and others showing some of my favorite garments/collections that the students designed & manufactured.  x

The quiet before the storm!  It didn't stay this neat & tidy for long.

Gemma & I spent the best part of a day writing this running order that you see taped to the corridor wall.

Backstage hair

Backstage Make-up

Out Front & the tables are ready

Cupcakes, Dips, chips & wine . Yummy !

Backstage with 5 mins to go

The one & only Tricia helping students out with some last min stitching.

A dress designed by my 1st year ED student  Vhee Elchico.

Designed & made by Emily Jackson another of my 1st year ED students. This dress was so well executed and time,care and attention was taken over the hand stitched folded circles that were covering the top bodice. A brilliant piece and you can follow Emily's journey at:
http://www.measurementsmeannothing.blogspot.com/

This was designed & made by Aaron Neri & yes you've guessed it, yet another of my ED 1st years. This extravagant dress was based on wealth with its rich choice of colour pallet & abundance of gathered fabric. Aaron had the Patience of a saint when sewing this together.

One of my favorite dresses was by Kathryn Crank http://www.materialgirl1994.blogspot.com/ a technical genius with an eye for detail. So much talent for a 1st year ED student (as are the others I have shown) My photos truly don't do her garment any justice as hours were spent hand pleating the side panels and every step was considered to make sure she was creating a couture piece with hand rolled hems and perfected  pleats.  A beautiful, Beautiful piece.

Underneath the cape hides more details with the triple strap detail but unfortunately I didn't get a chance to photograph that. : (

The last of my favorites from my 1st year group was Siri Pracharoen. Siri Is extremely creative with her design skills and another student who has an eye for detail. Siri's dress was based on age/growth. The pleated detail represents lines/wrinkles and the shapes play on scale representing growth. The dress itself was a basic fitted shift dress. However the silk fabric pleated shapes were stiffened by painting a solution (sorry can't remember the name of solution) to stiffen & hold pleats in place and then after they had dried they were hand sewn on (which took her hours).  You can follow Siri's progress at http://www.kawii24.blogspot.com/

 I have nothing but praise for all of the above designers and know they will go on to do great things.

The next set of images comes from Mandy Tudor, a 2nd year ND and this was her final major project collection based on the Egyptian Gods. This girl is so creative & talented and you could hear a gasp from the audience when her collection went out . Well Done Mandy. x

A favorite dress from the Foundation Degree 2nd Years was a dress created by Rosie Blay from her collection 'Country Couture'  This dress was hand knitted & the bodice was wove.   Absolutely stunning.

And finally the collection 'Wonderland' by Claire Playford  (Foundation Degree 2nd year student) who can be seen in the photo on the left checking the dress on her model. Claire hand dyed her silk fabrics & created strong silhouettes. Her inspiration came from current couture designers.  A stunning sophisticated collection.