Colchester College of Art & Design, GFW stand 2010
As seen on our previous post, the stand award went to the Arts University College Bournemouth, with runners-up Bradford and Leeds. The standard was so high we have picked out some more favourites that stood out from the crowd.
Colchester College of Art & Design
Colchester won the award for the most creative stand last year and this year’s stand was entitled ‘Apothecary’, drawing the comparisons between science and fashion. The concept showcased the garments in a lab type environment. The college told us: ‘as in scientific experimentation there is an aim, method, result and conclusion. The elements may be wildly different but the journey is the same.’
Colchester College of Art & Design, GFW stand 2010
The idea of using apothecary as a metaphor for the journey and creation of the graduates’ garments is an extremely imaginative touch and an interesting way of explaining the creative process behind the collections. Replacing pills and powders for sequins and beads, ‘the elements are different, but the journey is the same; an amalgamation of components to produce the desired outcome hung out on shiny metal hangers’.
Bath Spa University, GFW stand 2010
Bath Spa
Bath Spa has gone for a stripped back and simple approach that showcases the garments beautifully and clearly. The university took part in an original and wonderful collaboration with Oxfam. All the garments that are presented on the mannequins grouped together are created out of old clothes and fabrics purchased from charity shops. The garments have then been re-constructed into new designer garments, which after Graduate Fashion Week will be sold exclusively through a new Oxfam boutique.
Bath Spa University, GFW stand 2010
The design of the set is a simple white backdrop with a grouping of mannequins showcasing the collection. On the back wall there are also painted drawings and sketches of the garments, with fun pointers saying what the piece of the garment was originally made from. The simplicity of the layout along with the charitable function of the collection, makes this extremely effective and a pleasure to view.
Edinburgh College Of Art, GFW stand 2010
Edinburgh College of Art
The theme behind this stand was cubism, with hollow frames of cubes with bare mannequins peeping out, opposite Rubik’s cube-eqsue pillars, coated with images of the collections. The stand itself was a collaborative project between graduates from the interior design course and the fashion course. There was no budget, so the students hosted events such as club nights to raise the funds to create this very fresh and modern looking stand.
The portfolios of the graduates were on top of white boxes with pictures of the preliminary sketches and designs of the pieces attached. Many of the pieces came from the university to be used today and any newly built pieces are made to then be re-used at the university. Although there were no actual garments on show, bar some beautiful handbags, the collections were showcased in an open, fresh environment, with a very friendly and welcoming feel.
University Of Northampton, GFW stand 2010
University of Northampton
Perhaps the most professional was the University of Northampton stand where the walls were decorated in an electric lime green and the rest of the stand was surrounded by glass walls. Inside, the portfolios were lined up on a table, where the collections of shoes and handbags showcased in cut-outs along a wooden wall and on layered, staggered shelves. The whole presentation of the collections gave the feeling of stepping into an expensive exclusive boutique and was the perfect setting to house a range of eclectic and original shoes and bags.
Nottingham Trent University, GFW stand 2010
Nottingham Trent University
For the presentation of the graduate’s collections, Nottingham Trent went for a futuristic approach. Much like the other stands, this university wanted to use the simplicity factor to showcase the garments to their full effect.
The walls of the stand were made of wavy plastic, with wooden boxes with shelves, holding the portfolios. Along the back of the stand were images of the students’ work in progress and design sketches, again showing the story of their collections, from concept to final piece. Hung from the ceiling were long lights, highlighting the collections brightly and again aiding to the futuristic look. The garments themselves were super modern and showcased wonderfully – the designers of our future.
De Montfort University, GFW stand 2010
De Montfort University
For this stand the university stated that they were torn between the idea of using Barbie or Lego as a theme and aesthetic for the stand, however their final decision came to be Lego. Taking two weeks to create with the help of a lot of dedicated first years, they managed to create vibrant Lego tables on which the students’ portfolios lie. Little Lego men are also scattered about the place to create effect.
De Montfort University, GFW stand 2010
The imagery of the collections lining the wall had a theme of movement. The images were brightly coloured and although slightly distorted, still showcase the collections brilliantly. The portfolios lie on the tables and the clothes and accessories line the walls; all in a colourful landscape of Lego.
Plymouth College of Art, GFW stand 2010
Plymouth College of Art
The theme for this stand was monochrome. The collections of the graduates had a colour palette ranging from light grey to patent black. The set had a white backdrop, with jet black photo frames and hangers suspended from the ceiling, with the garments floating around. White cubes were used to showcase the portfolios and the stark monochrome layout complemented the slightly dark feel to the collection, showcasing them wonderfully with a clear theme running through the whole showcase.
