Sustainable FUTURES

Paris has nothing on St Albans as a sustainable fashion show at Oaklands College proves to be a huge hit

Talented students across courses at Oaklands worked together to put on a successful sustainable catwalk fashion show at the local FE college. The fashion show was part of the art, fashion and design department’s week-long exhibition to showcase the talents of all students, who designed and modelled the collections, around the theme of ‘Odysseys’. Other students helped with car parking and ushering, and the hair and beauty departments also collaborated, creating a fantastic and professional aesthetic.

This end-of-year exhibition featured creative work across all art and design courses, and for the first time the adult certificate course exhibited their work. The show focused on sustainable fashion, and used fabrics and denim donated from local supporters, including charities such as St Francis Hospice.

Guest and Oaklands College supporter Cllr Annie Brewster, Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council 2022/23, and former Mayor of St Albans, was struck by the talent on show. “What a delight to see the amazing quality and stunning creativity from Oaklands College fashion students once more,” she said. “Congratulations to everyone and the very best luck with your future careers.”

Fashion student Zac Sawers-Simmons added: “The fashion show was a fantastic opportunity to encapsulate my ideas and creativity to the wider public. It melts my heart to hear all the fantastic feedback about our designs after the show.”

“The fashion show was deeply satisfying,” said fashion student Millie

Jeffreys, “as we presented collections of all of our hard work from over the year, demonstrating the differences in all of our styles and personalities.”

“We received kind donations of fabric and denim, from supporters including St Francis Hospice,” said Claire Dolan, Deputy Principal of Oaklands College, “that allowed us to have a 100% sustainable fabric fashion show, which is great news.”

OAKLANDS COLLEGE has regular open days – see oaklands.ac.uk for more information about the those and the range of courses on offer