Students from the Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts were working round the clock to put the finishing touches to their collections for a dazzling catwalk display that took place in a Big Top on Jesus Green. After a year of intensive training as part of a foundation course, the young designers, who are all graduating this year, were able to show off their skills in a fashion spectacular inspired by a 'House of Cards'.
 | | 'Cirque du Soleil' by Christa Barraquias |
The show is in its ninth year and has become more than just a showcase of achievements for the pre-university level students. With previous sponsors including Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Valentino, Philip Treacy and Katherine Hamnett, it has become a potential launch pad for a successful career in fashion! This year, designer Julien Macdonald set the brief for the students. On top of their 'House of Cards' collection, he asked them to create "a suit or dress fitting for the Academy Awards", and he offered work experience at his London studio for the winning design! The students had four weeks to research, design and make the dress for Macdonald before they started on their main collection. Tutor Jane Herzog revealed that being judged by Julien was a big motivator: "It's a bit of competition and everyone's really revved up!"
 | | Aysima Sanli |
Student Aysima Sanli was pragmatic about what it would mean to work at Macdonald's studio: "It would definitely be a good step, and give you more connections into the fashion world." She likes Macdonald's style saying: "his work is bling-bling, quite revealing, but women expect him to make them look fabulous!" Sarah Son thinks covering up is more sexy than showing off! Her favourite designer is Vivienne Westwood: "Her designs are outrageous but still pretty and feminine". Like many of the other students, Sarah will be going to the University of Hertfordshire next year to study for a degree in fashion. For Christa Barraquias, fashion is in her blood... her grandmother was a fashion designer and her mum is involved in fashion too! Christa enjoys the whole process of fashion design from making the fabrics to cutting out patterns. Christa hand-printed the fabrics in her 'Cirque du Coleil' collection and says she has learnt a lot about textile techniques.
 | | Jane Herzog, fashion tutor |
Although the students have already gained places on degree courses, the fashion show is an invaluable experience. Tutor Jane Herzog, who directed the show, said "it's a great chance for the students to get experience of a proper show. All the models have dressers and it's run in a very professional way". It's Jane's job to make sure the students get into university after the foundation course. She introduces the students to all areas of fashion from textiles and pattern cutting to promotion and marketing. As well as celebrating the success of this year's students, Jane is also excited that the college has been validated to run a degree course in fashion from 2007!
 | | Red carpet dress by Esther Groeneveld |
As the audience filed into the Big Top for 2006 show, there was an air of excited anticipation... as the music started and the lights were dimmed, there followed a feast of fashion that wouldn't look out of place on the London catwalks. The students' collections were imaginative, stylish and totally original - and the Julien Macdonald 'Queen of Diamonds' red carpet dresses were a spectacular finale to the show! After a rousing encore there was a surprise for two of the students. Earlier in the week Julien Macdonald had made his judgement on the most outstanding dress, and Kohji Yanagi was announced as the winner for his stunning black dress. Christa Barraquias was also shocked and overjoyed to be chosen as student of the year for her hard-working and enthusiastic attitude.
 | | Christa Barraquias |
With dreams of owning boutiques and creating their own fashion labels, these students have high hopes... move over Julien Macdonald... the class of 2006 are heading your way! Tickets for the fashion show, along with the end-of-year art exhibition and drama performances were sold in aid of Médecins Sans Frontières. | 
