The collections from this year's Manchester School of Arts grads at Graduate Fashion Week were quite colourful and just a touch of retro.
Bethan Currie
Bethan's collection was very 1970's anti-war, with peace signs and Ban The Bomb emblazoned on the back of a jacket, while one of the bags slightly resembles a small bomb.
Susan Forrest
Susan was one of the nominees for the Best of Graduate Fashion Week. The style of her collection was a total throwback with primary colours and interesting fabric choices.
Alexandra Henshall
There was something about this collection that I just loved! The shapes were quite modern and the colour palette mixed in the prints was a strong addition.
Anna Thomas
This was an interesting use of the TFL logo. This collection used urban styling with some menswear originals.
Aimee English
Perhaps not exactly this piece, but quite a few of the garments in Aimee's collection were pretty wearable, with originality that didn't go completely over the top. I especially appreciated the movement of the fabric.
Sophie Wyatt
For those of us alive and aware in the early 1990's, this collection looks pretty familiar. It was a youthful, oversized version of the old skater look.
Aoife Robinson
Oh my word, the movement of this collection was so amazing, this image does not even do it justice. Sitting in the front row at the middle of the catwalk, you can see how these garments flow beautifully behind the models.
Zsofia Juhasz
Zsofia's knitwear got her a nomination for Best of Graduate Fashion Week. The technique to add texture to the garments was a skill not often seen.
Stefan Efobi
There were quite a few collections one could imagine look good in an editorial but perhaps not so much on the runway, and Stefan's collection was one of those.
Jessica Strawford
Jessica's collection was an interesting amalgamation of retro-futuristic athleisure wear.
Samantha Jones
I definitely appreciated this modern interpretation of urban style. The prints coupled with the oversized fits and added texture were very inspired.
Isobel Lindsay
Like a good many collections of the week, Isobel's took inspiration from the traditional Japanese kimono. Some of the details were a little cutesy for my liking, but the paired patterns on the skirts were great.
Judith Grant
The casual style of the pinafore-esque top with the ruffles and collar were an interesting choice.
Heather Chamberlain
There were some pieces of Heather's collection which were totally wearable while others, not so much. The added structure of the garments was interesting.
Lady Pearl Bannerman-Swaniker
The added details with the strips of fabric and green tones on the monochrome base were a great take on street style.
Sophie Maddocks
I really liked the retro girl-power theme running through Sophie's pieces.
Emily Plumb
While body suits are not usually my thing, I really loved the watercolour prints and the bright colours. And when garments have such movement coming down the runway, you know you've got a winner.
Chakra Manggilingan with accessories by Lisa Murgatroyd
So the designs here made me think that these are people preparing or disaster, with the silver foil normally used to keep warm, the goggles, the plastic gloves and the "gas" tape on the shoes.
Emily Hancock
Emily's collection was an inspired take on a country housewife style.
Courtney Howard
The prints coupled with the ruffles on this mainly denim collection were great. Some of the pieces had subtle hidden details, which added interest to them.
Now here are just a few images of the post-show exhibition from Manchester School of Arts, where there were drinks and a brass band!
Want to see what the grads came up with last year? Check out the show here.