Degree Show 2025: Raise a glass to this year’s final-year fashion show…with Cin Cin Studio!

As excitement builds in the lead-up to one of the biggest events in the University of Northampton’s calendar, one student has been reflecting on her fashion designs which will be taking to the stage next week.

Third-year student, Mia Esmond took a moment out of her busy schedule of preparing for the annual Degree Show to reflect on her final collection, the inspiration behind it, and her independent fashion design brand, Cin Cin Studio.

The 21-year-old from Leicester has used a childhood raised around jazz music blended with a love of summer, vibrancy and cocktails to inspire her colourful final collection. Crafted using a blend of materials and bright colours, Mia hopes her designs will reflect her fun, outgoing personality and evoke feelings of joy and happiness.

Mia said: “The process of creating my designs has been very detailed – I created my prints in-person on campus, digitised them, then sent them off to a manufacturer who printed it onto pure silk material. I was so happy to see the final fabrics, I think they really ‘pop.’

“Ahead of the Fashion Show next week, I’m in the process of making my final tweaks, but the excitement is really starting to build. It’s one thing to create clothes on a mannequin, but it is the styling and models which will really bring it to life.

“My designs were largely inspired by my love of jazz music, which has been instilled in me for a long time as my dad plays saxophone and clarinet, and is on the committee for The Leicester Jazz House. My family haven’t seen my final collection yet, so it will be really special to see their reactions in-person.

“Looking ahead to next week’s Fashion Show has given me the chance to reflect on my time studying at University of Northampton, and I’ve loved every minute. I chose UON because of how intimate and personal the class sizes were, and my designs have come such a long way since my first year – I would never have been this bold back then!

“My advice to aspiring young fashion designers would be – don’t be scared! Throw all your ideas into what you create, and trust me, nothing is too bonkers. I’m looking forward to a future creative career, and am really excited for what the future holds.”

On Thursday 19 June, the University of Northampton’s Learning Hub will be transformed into a purpose-built catwalk to allow graduating students of the Fashion, Textiles and Footwear course – including Mia – to present their collections in front of family, friends, staff, students, members of the public and industry representatives.

Mia’s work will be featured along with other students from a variety of courses from the Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology at this year’s Degree Show. This will be running from Thursday 19 to Tuesday 24 June at the University’s Waterside Campus.

The first catwalk show will take place at 1pm and 6.45pm on Thursday 19 June – open to the public and no tickets required.