Magnificent designs drawing upon an eclectic array of influences including the Hebrides, dissected bodies and Lord of the Flies are set to feature in this year’s Edinburgh College of Art Fashion Show. The outfits will take centre stage at three catwalk shows at Edinburgh’s St James Quarter on Friday 9 June, showcasing the dynamic talent of the College’s fashion students.The electrifying live shows – tickets for which are available to buy via Eventbrite – will feature 17 collections displaying the fresh ideas, ingenuity and creative skill of Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) students.Catwalk creationsThe show is presented in partnership with St James Quarter, Edinburgh’s retail led, lifestyle district, as part of its programme of art, culture and fashion initiatives that complements the city’s world-renowned cultural offering and vibrant events calendar.The annual show is a highlight of Scotland’s fashion calendar and spotlights emerging fashion innovations in womenswear, menswear, knitwear and garment construction.The professional catwalk show will celebrate the creativity of the designers and give a glimpse of what the future of fashion might look like. Dramatic collectionsThe catwalk will include Irene Chen’s collection influenced by the dystopian side of rapid urbanisation. The designs reflect urban villages’ architecture in China and people’s living habits to save space, including the use of compressed garments using vacuum bags to visualise the concept.Cairistiona Fletcher’s captivating collection ‘Mo Innse Gall’ (My Hebrides), draws upon her own heritage and childhood. The vibrant garments are inspired by the landscape of the archipelago off the west coast of Scotland to give a warm and light-hearted depiction of the islands. The collection has been sponsored by Islay’s whisky distilleries, Harris Tweed, and The Scottish Farmer.Lauren Hyde’s dramatic collection explores the dissection of the body as well as the construction and unseen structures of bespoke tailoring and couture fashion. Inspired by Edinburgh’s own Burke and Hare and artist Victoria Reynolds, one of the designer’s outfits uses draping to represent the fleshy inside of a body. Phoebe Potter’s dreamy designs explore the theme of childhood imagination and curiosity. The designer took inspiration from photographer Tim Walker’s fantastical interpretation of Lord of the Flies, and characters like the Lost Boys from Peter Pan who live on a remote island.Helen Protheroe’s futuristic collection draws upon the idea of the urban nomad and what happens when the comfort of shelter and the familiar are removed. It explores the roles given to parents and carers as protectors and mentors and how this can be depicted through garments. We are thrilled to be partnering with St James Quarter to offer audiences the chance to see the incredible work of our students. We are immensely proud of their dedication and professionalism in putting their final collections together. It is terrifically exciting to see their creativity come to life on the catwalk. Emma Clifton Pattern Cutting Tutor St James Quarter is passionate about supporting and nurturing local creative talent. We are delighted to provide a platform for the incredibly talented Edinburgh College of Art graduates to share their dazzling creations. Susan Hewlett Brand and Marketing Director St James Quarter is also supporting ECA students’ attendance at Graduate Fashion Week in London - one of the fashion world’s biggest events for emerging design talent.After making their Edinburgh debut, a cohort of ECA students will present their designs at Graduate Fashion Week at Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London from Monday 12 June to Thursday 15 June.Edinburgh students have a strong track record at Graduate Fashion Week, which showcases the work of students graduating from the UK’s leading fashion schools, with many scooping prizes awarded by the Graduate Fashion Foundation.Fashion at ECA is renowned for fostering creative freedom and design innovation among its students. Those on the course study brand development, inclusive design, sustainability, and technical and pattern-cutting skills.Many graduates have gone on work for the world’s leading fashion houses and to influence all aspects of the industry.Tickets can be purchased via EventbriteImages – Neil Hanna Photography Publication date 17 May, 2023
