RCA Grad Show Womenswear ’12

This year’s Womenswear Collections have a strong use of shape and structure – from abstract hats made from sculpted fibreglass, strong shoulders on knitwear to dresses that have dramatic internal frames.  Experimentation with textiles and fabrics is also evident in the use of flocking, viscose tape and silicone.  Several students have incorporated jewellery pieces within their collections using 3d printing machines, glass blowing and holography to create spectacular adornment.  Inspiration comes from 1930s tattooed tribes, the artist Naum Gabo, hip-hop girls, and the film This Is England.

The Running Order for the Womenswear Designers was as follows (showing two garments each in our slideshow);  Apu Jan, Claire Zeng, Colette Vermeulen, Daniel Pollitt, Hannah Morgan, Holly Russell, Julia Ida Mackenroth, Lorren Johnson, Lucy Hammond, Peiran Gong, Rachel Hall, Rachel Chan, Rajinder Johal, Rebecca Thomson, Ryan Mercer, Samantha Bushell, Shubhaim Jain, Trine hav Christensen

Footwear and Accessories students have created highly desirable and wearable collections of shoes and bags, that have a luxurious quality to them.  Materials include horse hair, rope, shearling, fur and dip-dyed perspex heels that create ethereal colour effects.

Founded by former Vogue editor Madge Garland in 1948, and now led by Professor Wendy Dagworthy OBE, the RCA Fashion programme is renowned for its close links with  the clothing and textiles industry.

RCA Fashion Alumni who have shaped the face of fashion include Ossie Clark, Philip Treacy, Antony Price, Julien Macdonald, Christopher Bailey, Claire Waight Keller and Erdem.

It’s going to be an exciting month for fashion this month, with Graduate Fashion Week, and the Menswear and Haute Couture Collections still to come!

So buckle up – and don’t forget to stay tuned to FASHION SHOW IMAGES..

 THE HOME OF FASHION!

Images Courtesy of RCA/Dominic Tschudin