Northhampton

Unfortunately for me this is my last show! Sob!
Northampton students bucked the trends tonight for fetish and clown and instead there were some interesting and well cut pieces.

Laurell Wilding presented felted wool coats with ruched backs and sleeves that were so thick in gathering they had a pleated 3D effect.

Alice Cleary utilised traditional white cottons to create shirting, playsuits and high waisted skirts that were overlayed with laser cut cottons that gave a lace effect. It had a hippie, 60's feel and the little peplums were so cute.

Olivia Brodman leather work in grey and blue hues with tasseled upper arms were very cool and reminded me of menswear designer Dimitri Stavrou's graduate MA collection of 2009. Again I like the mixture of leathers with soft jersey pieces and tassels mixing hard and soft and creating texture.

Amy Robinson showed a grungy hippie collection that was extremely wearable and wouldn't look out of place in Topshop's basement designer section. Again laser cutting was the key and the rose style cuts done by perforated cut outs was really effective. I loved the wool lined biker waistcoat and the combination of dusky pink, icey blue and black.

Alex Newton's 50's full skirts with full tulle underneath came in a host of block painted prints in green, pink, cream and black. Cropped biker jackets also came in these key tones, as well as front wrap skirts and shift dresses. It was a really cohesive body of work.

Finally menswear came from Garry Butterfield who showed great textile techniques with his stitched embellished leathers and fur. I loved the fur draped coat, the tan leather jacket with black stitching and the red leather harem trouser and shorts. Trousers had pleated/gathered waists and the taupe, brown and green palette really gave the collection a rustic feel.

Well that's me done, good luck class of 2010!

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