Everyone was extremely impressed with how professional the whole event was. Fashion Teacher Prue Lawrence and Fashion Technician Sally Spencer had given the students a free reign to organise the event and they had certainly excelled themselves – arranging lunch and after school clubs to get the work done in time for the show.

Andy Clark, Director of Learning for Design and Creative Applications, was very pleased with the quality of the designs, the hard work the students put into the project and how the whole event had come together.

The theme of the event was Alice in Wonderland – the idea was taken from one particular yellow dress by year 10 student Floella Bradbury; chosen from 4 favourites, hers was voted in and the whole show was themed around her design.

When we asked Flo if she would wear the dress again, she said “definitely!” but added that although she loves making her own clothes, she won’t be going into fashion as it is far too competitive. The students have been given a very good grounding into the realities of the fashion world, course leaders themselves come from that industry so they ensured the course contains a good understanding of the what really goes on.

An understanding that there are other opportunities other than just design available within the industry; such as fashion photography, fabrics and textiles design and production, management and so on. Some of the students are already expressing an interest in these avenues for their own futures.

We spoke with student Milly Sanders, whose own design was a very tribal skirt with lots of retro fringing which was all sewn on by hand she told us.

“It’s about loving the way you feel”’ she told us. “All the make up artists and hairdressers have made us all feel beautiful tonight and very special.” She also told us that it’s about being natural, “We are real-sized girls. We have had to make our designs to fit real people.” Milly’s mum is Genevieve of Level Hair & Beauty, who was sponsoring the event in support of the charity supplying wigs for people with hair loss through cancer or other illnesses. Milly added: “I’m very proud of my mum and everything she has achieved on behalf of the charity.”

Each group had a theme and the clothes showed an interesting interpretation of the topics.  The designs featured plenty of individuality, movement, as well as definite 80’s retro vibe in the shapes, use of fabrics and mix of gorgeous bold colours and textures.

Despite what must have been a nerve-racking experience out onto the runway, most of the models overcame their nerves and really got into the atmosphere. Guests included a mixture of parents and families, other students from the school as well as well known Island fashionistas Black Orchid Costumes in Ryde who have had shown some of the students designs in their shop. The art exhibition raised £269 and the Fashion Show raised £143.

Sponsored by Level Hair & Beauty.