The night of Norwich Gala Fashion Show finally arrived and we were treated to some amazing creations by the very talented young designers from Norwich University of the Arts.
With eye popping bright colours, big shoulders and collars, and a wide variety of material from leather to chiffon, there was something for everyone. All of the designers who showcased would look just as at home in the catwalk shows at London Fashion Week as they did at Norwich’s OPEN. Each look was up there with the leading up and coming designers and if the show is anything to go by, these are the trends we will be wearing next season.
In excess of 100 outfits took to the catwalk and you could not help but wonder how much work had gone into each piece, and where the designers had got their inspiration from. There were many outfits I spotted as they headed down the catwalk where I thought ‘I must have that!’ Each of the 23 designer’s collections featured six beautifully produced outfits from exaggerated, sharp, crisp tailoring to soft fluid creations.
Highlights of the night for me would have to be work by Steph Butler whose bright and bold red, yellow, orange and green dress made me wish I could carry off such a eye catching piece. I also fell in love with the stylish clean tailoring of Ellen Nightingale, her looks could make anyone seem sophisticated! Awards of the night went to Amy-Olivia Parish whose collection won The Gallery Haircutters’ Creative Cut Award. I was so pleased to hear that Siobhan O’Keeffe who I featured in part two of my series on Norwich Gala Fashion Show, won Student of the Year. She will now, along with Danielle Payton who featured in part one of my series as well as several other students, take her collection to London Graduate Fashion Week next month.
The show was supported by Jarrold, Adnams and Howes Percival Solicitors which just proves that up and coming fashion is worth investing in, particularly as Adnams are sponsoring all of the Graduate Fashion Shows.
I would like to think that in seeing this Fashion Show, I have witnessed international designers of the future!
