MMU Final Year Collection!

So last night I went to see the final years collection showcased at Victoria Baths in Manchester. I am on placement year so next year it will be me showcasing! I cannot wait now after seeing some of the work on display. There was wine and nibbles as you would expect with any art or fashion show case but it always makes looking round seem a little bit more fun! I got accidentally drunk at an art show once in Manchester with my dad but that’s a whole different blog story. The work was all fantastic, very interesting designs and wowed me ready for September when I return.

I have put links underneath with the name of the student; the link will take you to their email address in case you want to contact them with any questions about their work.

So the image below; I loved the bridal collection by Alice as a set, I really liked the idea of having the same colour ran through, and the power suit look paired perfectly with the wedding and bridesmaid dress. The menswear collection I have also chosen to show here by Matthew was actually selected to be showcased in China...WOW! My fav piece of the collection was the 'shiny' suit!! The centre bottom red and white suit by Katie was also selected for China showcase! I think the style looks like it has an oriental feel and think they have all done a fantastic job!!

Alice - Matthew - Katie

The montage below top left is the pink coat by Maizie, I really like the image she shot for her display, and the boldness of the pink contrasted against the white background makes it really stand out! I didn't get a card for the top centre garment I just really liked the style of it, so if anyone on here looks let me know in a comment so I can give credit where credit is due ;) The same goes for the top right picture, I snapped this because of all the butterflies hanging around it, it looked really effective. The bottom right image is a Neoprene Biker jacket by Rohini I absolutely love this style for ready to wear AW, I think the chunky zips and the arm panel detail is really effective! The centre bottom image shows a dress by Hannah, this one got me really excited because I really want to use the laser cutting machine which has created the effect on the bottom of the skirt, it just makes a really nice finish to what would otherwise been a plain dress. I also don't know who the bottom right garment is by but it interested me so I got a snap! 

Maizie - Rohini - Hannah

Lets start with the dress by Lucy, the laser cutting obviously also attracted me to this one, i loved the floaty style of the top and the bold burnt orange stripe across the bottom! The top right garment is a piece by Sophie, I'm not sure of the concept behind the style as I didn't get chance to look through her work that went with it but it is definitely creative!! It reminded me of a miss match of my favorite baggy jerseys and a bright pink tutu...it's still got my mind going thinking about it though so I guess it has done the job! The bottom right dress is by Jessica, I liked the pattern on the top of the dress, I was a bit unsure of all of the gathering but the shiny metallic fabric makes it work so it balances out!

Lucy - Sophie - Jessica

Railway Children Charity Fashion Show

So on Saturday night I went to a charity fashion show at Manchester 235 Casino, the venue was great, it was a perfect sized room for an intimate fashion show and the cocktails are remarkable! It is safe to say that I had a fantastic night looking at some great clothes and a tasty G&T of course!!

The charity was Railway Children which is an international charity who help kids that are vulnerable and living on the streets, either forced out of home or runaways, either way they are set for a possibly worse outcome by heading for the streets. The charity work to reach the children before anything can happen to them and give them a better outcome and chance at life. More information and how to donate can be found at http://www.railwaychildren.org.uk/  My pics are not the best quality as my camera died as I got there so had to use my phone!

I was invited to the event by a close friend; his clothing line IFlight Clothing Ltd, newly launched in 2012 hit the runway first. It is an independent clothing line founded by Imran (Pictured Below) The Company has a loyal customer base due to the high quality clothing with luxury effects and the quality customer experience starting from looking at the website down to having the clothes delivered. I have the jumper that is also pictured below where I am shopping at his pop up shop at the show and I cannot fault it, the material is super soft and it has been washed numerous times and kept the soft touch, so I would certainly recommend for the quality and comfort and the style looks great and goes with most of my outfits!! The website for the clothing is http://www.iflightclothingltd.com/  with new lines coming quite regularly so keep your eyes out! He has also begun an advertisement campaign with Kelvin Mellor, a footballer from Crewe Alexander Football Club modelling some of the IFlight collections.

Imran works closely with Francis Hooke who is the Managing Director & Principal Consultant of Quality Project Delivery http://qualityprojectdelivery.com/what-we-do/case-studies/iflight-clothing/ If you follow this link you can find out more about IFlight Clothing Ltd and about how Francis works with small start-up businesses to help develop their strategies and get them recognised which has clearly worked with the connection with IFlight.
     

From top right clockwise, Imran (Designer/Founder), IFlight pop up shop at the show, me shopping with Imran, Kevin Mellor modelling the menswear collection, Imran and Francis at the show.

Background image taken from http://qualityprojectdelivery.com/what-we-do/case-studies/iflight-clothing/ Surrounding images of IFlight Clothing Ltd collection on the runway.

Some of the IFlight Clothing Ltd collections, Images taken from http://www.iflightclothingltd.com/

Another favourite of mine from the show was an MMU student called Hanna, her creativity flared as she sent a clear raincoat down the runway, it was bound with bright yellow edges. She had also designed a large hooded jacket which just looked amazing.

Images of some of Hannah's collection.

Also during a show break the host of the show picked four people from the audience for a fun little game. He split the four into two teams and literally gave them a bag or rubbish each, with a three minute stopwatch at the ready one member of the team was named designer and the other the model. They then had to style the model as creatively as they could with the rubbish which included plastic bags, newspaper and tinfoil. I think it was a fab idea as it had the room cheering for their side and laughing as they out their arms thruogh bin bags, wrapped themsevlves in paper and foil.

Images show the volunteers competing with their rubbish!

Other clothing lines shown were http:/www.brandon-wesley.com/ and Unique Manchester