Fashion Show with an International Flavour

Students drew inspiration from a world cup of nations when designing garments for a spectacular fashion show staged at Waltham Forest College. The rich cultures of India, the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire, the traditional costumes of Japan, and the colours of Colombia, were among the influences that inspired the students’ designs. Models strutted the catwalk in outfits ranging from pompom decorated cotton tops and shorts to menswear inspired by gladiators and Roman uniforms.

Radua Jassin, in the second year of her BTEC national diploma course, produced a bejewelled evening wear collection that drew upon Egypt and its rich ancient history for her designs. Pamela Muchenje, a higher national diploma student, was inspired by Africa, the continent of the moment where the football World Cup is being held, for her collection. Pupils from Buxton School, Leytonstone, who spend one day a week at the College to study for a diploma in fashion and clothing, created textile pieces influenced by the patterns and colours of Mexico’s Aztec empire.

The fashion show provides students with the opportunity to showcase their talents before embarking on the next stage of their career development.

Radua, 19, is moving on to study for a degree in fashion design with business. “I have wanted to be a fashion designer since I was very young,” she said. “Fashion is a very competitive business and you have to be really strong to get somewhere. Most designers are inspired by each other, so to be successful you have to be different and stand out.” Her collection was adorned with hoods and collars containing colourful stones, influenced by her visits to Egypt where she has family. “The culture and the pyramids were a real inspiration for my designs,” she explained.

Zahide Bozdag, 21, and Shereena Ghaffor, 22, are combining their talents to set up in business together designing and making women’s lingerie, lounge wear, and dresses. They are about to complete the second year of a higher national diploma course and first met at the College four years ago when they began studying for their BTEC diploma.

Zahide designed a thoroughly modern ensemble of six evening gowns with a vintage feel, using peacock feathers as embellishment. She said: “We want to set up our own label and we are drawing up a business plan. This course has taught us a lot of the technical skills we need, but there are also units on marketing, business, and computer skills which will be invaluable to us.”

Shereena said: “We have different strengths which complement each other. We plan to start off selling our designs on-line and in markets.” Her collection drew inspiration from the strong shapes found in armour and architecture, using colour to outline detail and to create additional interest.

Three of the seven pupils from Buxton School, formerly Tom Hood, plan to study fashion full time at the College next year. Ayo Ayinde, 16, modelled her own Aztec inspired design. She said: “Fashion is my passion and I want to make clothes and have retail stores all over Europe. This course is helping me to achieve my ambition.”

Samantha Smith, 15, has decided to study A’ levels in academic subjects including politics and law next year. “I have really enjoyed coming to college to study fashion,” she said. “I wanted to design and model clothes and see what it is like.”

Waltham Forest’s Mayor, Councillor Masood Ahmad, had a front row seat at the show held at the College’s campus in Forest Road, Walthamstow. He said: “I really enjoyed the show and in order to give the students encouragement I would like to invite a group of them to tea in my chambers.”

Models from the I Feel Experience agency modelled some of the garments at the show held over two nights, while some designs were modelled by friends or relatives or the students themselves.

The biggest cheers of the night were reserved for special needs students learning independent living skills at the College. They paraded the catwalk with gusto to show their collection of formal and day wear.

Benita Odogwu-Atkinson, the College’s curriculum manager for fashion, textiles and media, said the College has become renowned for its fashion courses and most of its BTEC diploma students progress to university and degree courses. “Our students go onto UCA Rochester, University of East London, and Middlesex and Hertfordshire Universities,” she added. “Five students on our HND course are going on to convert their qualification into a full honours degree. We have students of all ages, from school pupils on diploma course, to mature students studying part time.”