LFF reporting live from Graduate Fashion Week

The LFF’s stand was mobbed on Sunday as we opened our doors for business. There was a constant flow of attendees visiting the first day of the 14th GFW and the excitement was clear for all to experience.It’s the first time GFW opened on a Sunday and it was clearly the right move to ensure continual success and expansion for the GFW. There were new universities showing for the first time including Oxford and Cherwell, Heriott Watt, Southampton and Liverpool John Moores. There was also a new key sponsor this season River Island after Topshop stood down as the keyline sponsor last year. 

 
There are various awards this season including “First Word” Journalism Award, Creative Marketing Award, John Adam Fashion Portfolio Award, GVD Accessory  Award and Waterman Fashion Illustration Award. Good luck to all.
 
David Jones (LFF Director and Chair) is on the GFW Mentoring Panel and commented on the first day of opening “This is the first time in many years of GFW that it has opened on a Sunday and judging by the enormous amount of visitors this has obviously proved to be a sensible and rewarding decision. It is to be hoped that as the week progresses before the gala on Wednesday night that this level of interest will be maintained and sustained. Shows that have blessed on this first day and there has been an exceptionally high level of talent. It was very good to get major institutions i.e. Surrey Institute of Art and Design and Ravensbourne opening the batting for GFW 2005. It is a blessing that we are not experiencing the scorching weather of last year and life at Battersea is very comfortable and enjoyable.”
 
The LFF managed to review the Bournemouth Show held at Theatre B on Sunday – the line up was impressive and some particular highlights were

Photograph supplied by Suresh Karadia

 
Daniel Sorenson for Womenswear – Personal aesthetics
A journey with jersey with plain and print. The return of the 80s leggings was there along with the raglan bat wing top. Layering of jersey for unusual and virtually unwearable skirts but the cropped trouser was strong.
 
Sagdat Azbanbetov with the Spell of Nemesis
The return of the new romantic with this all white collection for menswear that certainly stood out from the crowd. A clever use of flower power with a daisy garland perfectly placed on the head of one model designer was eye catching and another model strategically placed his daisy at the side of the mouth as he strutted down the catwalk – it all added to the look. The high waisted matador trouser was well cut and fitted perfectly and the tops with back and side draping and sashes were innovative. Thumbs up to Sagdat for a memorable collection
 
Natalie Cerejo for Redefine (RSA winner Womenswear O5
I can see why Natalie is an RSA winner – the intrinsic pattern cutting qualities of this collection were strong.The use of strong knitwear with mix and match fabric also provided a new and refreshing look
 
Melissa Troth for The Past and the Pending
For me this collection was simply outstanding. The use of fine fortuna pleating that were mitred into diamonds looked stunning and fresh. The fitted blouses with fine pintucks were flattering and, more, importantly that right blend between fashion and commercialism. 
 
In the afternoon the Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication took centre stage at Theatre A. To a packed attendance and strictly standing room only the 18 students of Ravensbourne made the name proud.  Kelly Allen provided some highly intelligent holiday wear with exquisite prints in tones of blue complete with kimonos styled blouses and scarf skirts.  Tatiana Katinov provided a cutting edge black tailoring collection complete with full length coats, fastenings on leg to ensure the essential drain pipe fit of the season and accessorised with black jet beading.
 

Victoria Townsend provided  a sophisticated collection and the prints by Charlotte Hooper were outstanding. The attention to colour and form of beautiful tie prints, abstract florals et al will surely make this a powerful duo in the future and certainly names to ear mark. Catherine Teatum provided the final theatre finish and what a superb ending to a superb performance. The hip bustle was very much in vogue in this collection – only suitable for the super slim but certainly looked fantastic on the catwalk. The collection clearly stood out in terms of the quality of pattern cutting work with a strong mix of print and stripes providing flamboyant peplums and a look that lingers in the mind.
 
Hywell Davies Acting Fashion Course leader succinctly summed up today’s performance of Ravensbourne. “It was spot on – super sleek. The students reflected what contemporary fashion is all about!”
 
Here’s to tomorrows line up which includes
 
12 noon     Somerset             Theatre A
1.00 pm     Winchester           B
3.00 pm     Westminster        A
4.00 pm    Berkshire/Derby     B
6.30 pm    Northumbria           A
7.30 pm    East London          B
 
Until then.
 
Jenny Holloway