From Liu Village to Lincoln: Residents Join Designers in Street Fashion Showcase

A neighbourhood in Lincoln was transformed into a street fashion studio and catwalk through a collaboration between local residents and designers from the University of Lincoln.

More than 100 residents from the Sincil Bank area got involved in the Street Fashion project, which offered them the opportunity to try their hand at printing on fabrics, and designing and making items of clothing at the event last week. The final pieces were showcased in a community fashion show on Friday (29th July) evening.

All items used to create the garments were found locally, using up-cycled everyday pieces including a scrap car door and an abandoned ironing board, to create unique, eye-catching prints. The event, organised by Dave Bramston, Programme Leader for the MA International Design Enterprise (MAIDE) in the School of Architecture & Design and student Miyoung Jang, is the second of its kind, following on from the success of an original project run by the University in Liu Village in Guangzhou, China.

Dave said: “The three-day project in the Chinese village attracted more than 150 residents and involved them in printing, making and modelling their work. The response was unexpected and inspiring.

“When we were invited back to China to conduct more street fashion projects in other Chinese villages, we decided it would also be good to replicate the concept in Lincoln with the aim of bringing our own communities together.

“Anyone who printed a fabric was able to name that specific print for future reference, and eventually there may be opportunity to connect the Chinese and Lincoln communities with an international street fashion show. The City Council invited all residents in Sincil Bank to the show, which was a huge success. We are already looking at possible spring, summer, autumn and winter collections and shows.”

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