Central Saint Martins BA Fashion Press Show, May 31st 2011

Last week, two tickets plopped onto my stairs from my brother.   Two tickets to the Central Saint Martins fashion show in Bethnal Green.   He couldn't go due to plans in New York, so he suggested I 'took a friend'.  So I did.   I chose to take my friend Heather, because she is, without a doubt, my most unrivaled fashionista friend, and someone who appreciates a good fashion show.   So, yesterday, thankfully not during one of the many May downpours, Heather and I met at Bethnal Green tube and made our way to York Hall (after a rather sizeable detour, due to my lack of navigational skills). We took to the line, and scanned the crowd.  Men in dresses, ladies in head scarves and red lipstick.  Everyone was insanely cool, but the atmosphere was friendly and jolly. Some people swanned past with their tickets aloft stating "we have VIP tickets", only to be curtly reminded that "all the tickets are VIP..." (read: get to the back of the line).  When we got to the front of the queue, we rushed to find decent seats.  We parked directly above the end of the catwalk - which was perfect.  York Hall is a large room, which feels like an old covered market for fruit and veg, all wrought iron railings and mini balconies.  After about half an hour, the show began with a film detailing the history of CSM, entitled 'changes'. CSM has been running its school in Charing Cross since 1939, but will be relocating to King's Cross in October 2011.  There were forty-five designers showing, all consisting of roughly six pieces. Here are my highlights:

• James Nolan started the show with a Woman in Black inspired womenswear range. The first model eerily rolling an old fashioned pram out along the blank, white runway really reminded me of the Susan Hill classic. The full length black skirts and over-sized black hats were stunning.

• Nicholas Aburn paraded his models to the catchy, upbeat sounds of 'High Stilettos' by The Stitched Lips. They wore amazing Audrey Hepburn hats, with the models' endless legs encased in mid-length, tight fuscia and white striped trousers.

• Flaminia Saccucci, print, used beautiful, flowery prints on structured fabric, pastel green and blue.

• Suzannah Gardner encased her male models in clothing that reminded me of 'Just William' by Richmal Crompton, taking on the Back to School vibe, with the boys in beige and light grey shorts, long socks and neck bows.

• Momo Wang's line was my absolute favourite. Her show opened to a small Chinese model with two giant helium balloons attached to her pigtails. Her models were not the 'typical' catwalk models, and they were having a whale of a time, playing with balloons and firing off bubble  guns. I have no idea what the clothes were like, as the general up-beat, fun element took over, but the uproar of cheering at the end confirmed that she was a firm favourite.

• Josh Bullen did an underwear range, with his male models coming out in very tight, and very white pants.  There was also a girl who was lead along, who, if I am not mistaken, was Daisy Lowe, but I may well have been mistaken.

• Kim Traeger got the 'kooky' prize for me, with her models dressed in furry, white rabbit masks and ears. The first, lone rabbit came out to a spooky single voice singing 'Silent Night', holding a bunch of carrots on the end of a stick.

• Crimson Rose O'Shea was the final designer, who dressed her models in bright, holographic material, which reminded me of bubble wrap. The music, again, had a big impression, with peels of thunder, screams and piano music.

At the end of the show, Hilary Alexander, fashion director of The Daily Telegraph, came out and said a few words, noting that this show was "the end of an era" and that she was astounded by the "creativity bursting off the catwalk".   She then introduced notable names (including royal wedding dress designer, Sarah Burton) to read out the second runner up, runner up and winner of the L'Oreal Professionals Young Designer of the Year Award. The results were:

• Second Runner up:  Momo Wang
• First Runner up: Nicholas Aburn
• Winner: Flaminia Saccucci

Well done to all for an amazing evening of spectacular fashion!

See Hilary's account in the Daily Telegraph Online: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/hilary-alexander/TMG8551177/High-Tech-and-Arts-and-Crafts-at-Central-Saint-Martins-Ba-Hons-Graduate-Show-2011..html