Beauty News
University Diversity!
on 29 Sep 08 9:51
Women worldwide have been tripping each other over in their Jimmy Choos and have been swinging their Balengias in order to be at the front of the queue for London Fashion Week. Fashion tribal warfare begins. And when the prize is shoe shaped things are bound to get dirty. If like me you are inclined to avoid devils wearing Prada and favour the more relaxed approach, a perfect substitute was ‘Fashion Diversity' at the Museum of London. As the newest addition to London's dynamic fashion industry calendar Fashion Diversity is a unique and highly profiled platform for teaching, training, showcasing and promoting talented designers and models within the fashion industry. Alongside inspirational and breathtaking collections, it provides new faces a pathway from college to the high street. Fashion Diversity has been created to support London's designers and models by raising their profile, acknowledging their talents in the fashion industry and helping them to achieve their potential. I hate to sound uncultured but the last time I set foot in a museum on a Saturday was back in the days when shellsuits were still fashionable. Fashion Diversity was about to change all that.
The event consisted of various workshops and four catwalks showcasing creations from London's hottest new talents. The show was awash with inspiration from a variety of cultures and different historical influences, including African tribal prints, American retro baby doll dresses, sixties inspired minis, and eighties shoulder pads together with beautiful material samples from all over the world. It seemed appropriate that such a multicultural fashion hot pot had been brewed and showcased in London. With so many choices it was hard to remember that this was a competition and that there was a prize at stake.
Nervously the designers awaited backstage while the crowds bristled with opinion and the paparazzi lingered - fingers ready to capture the moment. Although the standard was high it was no surprise that Brett Martindale-Durning, - the youngest by far at the tender age of 14 - was awarded the fashion crown. Brett, who has produced four collections of clothes that have been shown publicly, said: "I've been interested in fashion design for as long as I can remember. I am determined to become a famous designer one day like Julien Macdonald and Alexander McQueen." With his fluorescent brights, swinging mini dresses adorned with tassels and fringes his place on the front row has already been assigned. Alexander McQueen should be quaking in his boots - or whatever the chosen footwear of the season is.
It was not only the designers that expressed their individuality on the catwalk. We were treated to a display of beautiful models all varying in form, culture, race and individuality. There were no coathangers on this catwalk and refreshingly these designers chose to celebrate the female form, muffin tops included. This is not the first event created by the collaboration between the museum, Mahogany Model Management and the creative collective Untold. And it definitely won't be the last. Untold was formed in September 2007 by a small group of designers in order to pool their resources and expertise, including design, photography, modeling, and hair and make-up styling. Although the shows encourage competition and ambition the whole ethos is a collaborative one and gives the opportunity for unconventional stars to shine.
I usually walk out of these events with a wish list as long as my arm and plans to put a lock on my biscuit tin and go for an early morning marathon jog. I left the Museum of London with a new outlook on the fashion world.
It was a truly refreshing experience and I hope the vision and individuality exhibited in this event will revolutionise the somewhat jaded face of fashion today.
By Holly Stagg.