The time has come for the University of Lincoln’s fashion students to add the finishing touches to their collections, ready for the catwalk. Third year students are bringing a year’s worth of designs and creations to a close on May 21st, at the Lincoln Fashion Show 2010, held in the Engine Shed.
This will be the third show that the fashion department has organised, and lecturer Victoria Bellandini says that people can expect a host of “innovative, exciting and classic designs”. A sidestep to the classic label, however, are the creations of Nicky Fletcher, 22, which are based on superheroes and inspired by designer and award-presenter of the 2008 show, Antonio Berardi.
“I saw a recent collection by Antonio Berardi, where he had bodycon dresses paired with massive capes. I kind of wanted to do a spoof on that, but mine has worked out completely different.” Whilst Nicky’s collection has developed to incorporate softer fabrics than initially intended, twists on basic designs, such as structured playsuits, means that it has kept a definite futuristic edge.
A more traditional, feminine glamour was the inspiration for 22-year-old Ketron Ward’s jewel-coloured, burlesque-inspired pieces. Ketron said: “I’m looking at the 1940s shapes, so cinched in waists and big shoulders. It’s really glamorous , it’s for sophisticated women.”
Louise Vickerman, 21, has made given herself the challenge of doing a split collection, which features three menswear pieces and three womenswear pieces. Her womenswear collection is inspired by derelict buildings. She said: “Not many people do menswear as it is a lot more controlled. With womenswear, you can be more creative, but for men’s you have to stick to a certain shape.”
Victoria Bellandini says that this year’s show will build on the success of last year, as a smaller group of students exhibiting means that planning for the event is more organised. The show will also appeal to a wider audience, with a stronger menswear presence in the collections.
Bellandini explains that the aim for students is to create garments that are contemporary and wearable, but that also challenge conventional designs: ” The collections will also be on trend, as the students learn to look at previous trends in order to predict trends in the future.”
A poster campaign advertising a casting session for models to show off the students’ clothes will soon appear on campus. The casting is open to anyone.
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