Posted Friday 16 September 2016
A computer game, a dance performance and a nod to freedom fighters around the world were just some of the latest works Kingston University's graduating designers unveiled at their annual MA Fashion show.
Visitors were treated to an eclectic mix of collections that centred on themes of movement and evolution, with undertones of political tension simmering throughout. Launched on the eve of London Fashion Week at the Vinyl Factory in Soho, the show was the culmination of months of research undertaken by the students, who graduated in July.
Leyman has coupled his red, yellow and black knitwear with edgy pieces including a leather jacket inspired by 1970's New York gangs, with the slogan Resist to Exist sprawled across the inner linings. The 28 year old from Grenoble says his work is a result of the critical thinking encouraged throughout Kingston University's postgraduate fashion degree programme.
Fellow student and gaming fanatic Odella Yue, 22, turned to the workings of the inner mind in her quest to create a computer game featuring garments that embody the spirit of her character, the Neon Wanderer. She developed an interactive design game that allows consumers to generate exclusive prints for their character, based on how they play. Describing herself as 'the nerdy one', Odella drew from her fascination with games and comic books and blended her inspirations with an unusual dental health experience. "I had to go through four rounds of surgery and, while being in unbearable pain, I experienced bizarre dreams that I psychoanalysed and transformed into graphic prints I used for my collection," the young designer from Henan in China explained.
Former dancer turned designer Nigel Guérin-Garnett opted to display his designs in the environment they were intended for - as costumes in a contemporary dance piece that kicked off the evening's events. "I felt that my fashion needed to be expressed in a new way," he said. "There's a specific aesthetic throughout this piece that associates with discovery, exploration, acceptance and celebration. At this level, I've really had to figure out my identity as a creative person and to question the structure of the industry, which I hope is what the dancers reflect."
MA Fashion course leader Andrew Ibi said part of his role was to help the students to develop their identities and react creatively to their surroundings. "We labelled this year's show Live, as a reflection of how this diverse cohort of students sees the industry and its changing position within the world," he said. "It was my job to push them to deliver high quality, professional work that is critical in its approach - fashion has its flaws and it's important the students are well informed and ask the right questions."
Mr Ibi believes the show reflected the need for fashion to engage with new and dynamic global developments. "Fashion is a discipline that embraces progress and these young designers have really explored recent cultural change around consumption and value. The show was a manifesto of their work and what the industry means to them - hopefully, they will have inspired the audience to think of fashion in a different light."
19 June 2024
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