Expect the unexpected on Fashion Show catwalk

Preparations are well underway for The University of Northampton’s nationally acclaimed School of The Arts Graduate Fashion Show.

The show which takes place next week, with collections inspired by fairground rides, biker chicks, cosmetic surgery, siblings, and Barry Island, to name but a few.

Year 3 BA Fashion (Textiles for Fashion) student Sophie Dean is one of the students whose work has made it through to the catwalk on Wednesday 22 June at Royal & Derngate, Northampton. Her final year collection, creative leisurewear for women, is inspired from delicate details of exotic flowers.

My collection is exploding with exciting colours and shapes - it focuses on the construction of the roots, the markings of the bark, the veins within the leaves and the buds and seeds that grow on the stems, as well as the flower or plant as a whole.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole process from design, to sampling and experimenting, right through to realisation, as I have gained confidence and self-belief in my works, and in me as a person.

My three years at The University of Northampton has enhanced my ambitions and determination to create my own textiles label, focusing on print design for fashion.

Sophie Dean

The inspiration for BA Fashion Year 3 Ryan Lee Austin's final collection came from his love of beauty and the lengths that many people will go to, to achieve the so-called image of 'perfection' - leading him to look at the world of cosmetic surgery and the aftermath of such procedures.

You can see such inspiration through the colour palette of my collection. It consists of black, purple and a beige skin tone, all taken from the bruising of the skin after cosmetic surgery has been performed. Purple is the underlying tone throughout the collection, through the linings of each garment and the stitch detail is inspired by the suchers used to help the skin heal.

Being a born and raised Northamptonite, I am proud to be graduating from The University of Northampton after completing my three year degree in Fashion. Throughout my time here, I have realised exactly where my passions lie within the fashion industry and I aim to nurture a career in fashion styling and journalism for an editorial magazine.

Lee Austin

Year 3 BA Fashion student Vicky Fallon's final year collection, sponsored by Lypsyl, focuses on her fear of dolls. She feels her collection reflects her internship at Alexander McQueen in 2010.

My collection is called 'The Dark Side of the Doll' - it's a personal investigation into what it is I find daunting about dolls, and why. The research looks into my nightmares, images of dolls and visits to museums and antique stores. It seems the older the dolls are, the more interesting they seem - worn out dolls where hair has become scraggy and the porcelain skin is starting to peel away.

My internship at McQueen was hard work but I learnt a lot and this has made me realise that my passion lies in illustration and design.

Vicky Fallon

The catwalk show is not just about clothes, it will also feature shoes, handbags and other accessories - BA Fashion (Footwear and Accessories) is a popular course at The University of Northampton and graduates have gone on to work for big industry names.

Dorcas Phillips, Year 3 BA Fashion (Footwear and Accessories), chose to focus on 'Home' for her final collection; home to her is Devon. Horace Batten Bespoke Riding Boots have sponsored her collection.

As a Fashion student, people always ask you where your 'passion for fashion' derived from. I have my Grandma to thank for this. Aided also by my Mum and sister, I think I was always destined for the fashion industry! Choosing to specialise in Footwear and Accessories, I knew my final major project had to reflect myself as a designer. The only clear path of research for me was 'Home'; this would give people who viewed my work an insight into my individuality.

Beginning with huge collages from my research of Devon and then intertwining each image to represent how they all reflect my personality, I took this into leathers and began creating weaves, cords, braids and plaiting. Initially I was adamant that I would not make a single pair of shoes. I now stand with a completed shoe collection and not a bag in sight.

Dorcas Phillips

You can see work from Sophie, Ryan, Vicky and Dorcas, plus other talented graduates from the Division of Fashion and Textiles and Year 2 BA Hons Fashion, Textiles, Footwear and Accessories students from The University of Northampton, at the 2.30 and 7.30pm shows at Royal & Derngate. There will also be a gallery exhibition across the road at The Northampton Museum & Art Gallery.

Headline sponsors for the Graduate Fashion Show are Schwarzkopf and Hensmans. Other sponsors include Silverstone, Sazarac, Video Inn Production, The Caterers, Belmay Fragrances Ltd, Silver Viscount Sewing Machines, Joseph Cheaney & Sons and Oriflame. Hensmans are the sole hair stylists for the show and provide on-going support to the division throughout the academic year.

Tickets are now on sale from Royal & Derngate Box office on 01604 624811.Standard tickets are priced £15 (plus a £1 booking fee) and concession tickets are £12. Tickets are available for the afternoon show at the special rate of £2 for schools (students and teachers). VIP tickets for the evening show are also available priced at £80, which includes entry into the pre and post show parties and a very fashionable goody bag.