Innovative designs in the spotlight at annual fashion showcase

Innovative clothing and costume designs inspired by sleep states, macabre Victorian photography and brutalist architecture will be among the collections featured in the University of Lincoln’s annual Graduate Fashion Show.

The end-of-year showcase of work by final year students from Lincoln’s BA (Hons) Fashion degree takes place at the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre on the University’s main Brayford Pool campus on Friday 27th May 2016.

Collections will be modelled on the catwalk by both amateur and professional models, including Maxine Sykes, a graduate of the University of Lincoln, whose catwalk career has already included a role at Paris Fashion Week and an appearance in Vogue magazine.

Victoria Bellandini, Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Fashion in Lincoln’s School of Fine & Performing Arts, said: “We pride ourselves on developing fashion innovation in a degree course which embraces a hybrid approach to the subject and includes the study of fashion, costume and millinery. We are aiming to develop graduates who go on to successful careers across the creative industries.

“Our annual fashion show is a celebration of the skills and creativity that our students have refined over three years of study. We are very excited about this year’s show, which will feature some genuinely innovative and spectacular designs.”

This year’s showcase event, entitled Fashion 16, will include work from Becky Hong, an international student originally from Zhejiang Province in China, who has used unconventional materials typical to the hidden internal structures of garments to challenge perceptions of beauty in a collection which includes millinery and footwear design.

Fellow student Steve Nash has used his theatrical costume design skills to assemble a women’s collection that targets a diverse age range. Entitled Overture it takes inspiration from the Redcoat, the traditional uniform of English regiments, and strong military references through the use of powerful styling.

Exaggerated textiles provide the basis of Beth Shepherd’s collection Cocoon. Her work combines extravagant shapes, animal-inspired digital prints and fun giant knits.

A new addition this year is a connection with the city’s Agatha boutique fashion store, who will present an award for design excellence. The winning student will have the opportunity to exhibit their collection in the window of the store in Lincoln’s High Street.

Tickets for the University of Lincoln’s end of year Fashion degree show, Fashion 16, are available from the Box Office at the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre priced at £5 (3pm matinee show) or £8 (8pm evening show with after-party). The 3pm event is free to attend for schools and colleges. Places must be booked via the Box Office: 01522 837600 or online http://lpac.co.uk/