 There is no denying the impact Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design's students have had on the fashion world. The college's reputation for cultivating the very best in design talent (see below) is legendary.
This year, a total of 19 students showed their MA Fashion Collections for 2007, to an expectant audience that was keen to witness the first appearance of the next big name in fashion. Pressure to satisfy expectations like this, can be a mixed blessing (no doubt) but, course leader Jessie Woods manages to infuse the creative juices of her students, to make them shine and yield something fresh and individual every time.
Predominantly comprising of womenswear collections, the show revealed some gems in the form of work from: Chemena Kamali, Krzysztof Strozyna, Mattijs Van Bergen, Seon Ju Kam, Tatiana Katinova and Tessa Birch. Some of whom (Mattijs Van Bergen and Krzysztof Strozyna) had gone as far as to produce an accompanying jewellery collection as well.
Characteristics like: Chemena Kamali use of an Autumn leaves colour palette on dresses and matching coats, managed to expertly show off the contours of her signature trademarks: bows, folds, pleats and ruffles. These detailed features, could be found on necklines, hems and shoulder straps. Krzysztof Strozyna strong lines and exaggerated shoulders on her dresses and jackets, referred back to the 80s but, only just. The matching jewellery and wide belts (she created herself) worked perfectly to catapult the look into the 21st century. Mattijs Van Bergen collection, played on a women's femininity through pleats. Pleats were used effectively on 3/4 jackets, blouses, bandeau dresses, skirts and as panels on city shorts. Seon Ju Kam was another student who referred back to a bygone age this time, the Victorian era. Her pretty baby doll dresses, capes and tunics (complete with frilly hems and bib detailing) were in a palette of cream and white. Tessa Birch's love for the simple shape of a kaftan, allowed her to explore the concept of geometric patterns. And finally, winner of the Harrods Design Award (and prize money of £5,000) Tatiana Katinova's [see picture left] collection, paid homage to the cutting and tailoring skills of Saville Row.
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