Central Saint Martins’ BA graduate fashion show took place in Kings Cross, London, and showcased 134 graduates’ work. Menswear designer Eden Tan won the L’Oréal Professionnel Young Talent Award for his collection “On Borrowed Fabric”, which focused on sustainability. Tan developed new techniques to convince the eye that his garments were more than just fabric rolls. Other notable collections included Sam Crabbe’s elevated classic wardrobe staples with architectural twists and Sofia Castellon’s knitwear collection, which drew inspiration from her Mexican-American identity and incorporated personal materials. The show lived up to the fashion school’s reputation as “the world’s biggest factory for making trouble”.
Central Saint Martins’ annual BA graduate show once again proved to be a showcase of innovative fashion designs, textiles, and techniques. The event, held at the Granary Square campus in Kings Cross, featured 134 graduates who pushed the boundaries of fashion and creativity. The school, known as “the world’s biggest factory for making trouble,” As seen in the coverage by its current chancellor Grayson Perry, lived up to its reputation once again.
Menswear designer Eden Tan was the recipient of the prestigious L’Oréal Professionnel Young Talent Award. His collection, “On Borrowed Fabric,” focused on sustainability and utilized new techniques that he developed through his hobby of tinkering. Each look from his collection was made from an uncut roll of fabric, with some pieces airbrushed to create a trompe l’oeil effect. Tan explained that his motivation was to create clothes that could be easily reprocessed into new garments, making the fabric appear as though it had never been used before.
Tan’s collection was a standout among the other designs, earning him the top honor. Alba Mas Amoros and Ivan Delogu were runners-up for the L’Oréal prize, placing second and third, respectively.
Another standout from the event was the Sarabande award-winning womenswear designer Sam Crabbe. Her collection featured classic wardrobe staples with architectural twists. One look featured long, lime green silk trousers paired with a gray bandeau top that had protrusions jutting from it. The model carried a sparkling pink bag in a shape reminiscent of a bird’s wing. Crabbe explained that her inspiration came from her childhood fascination with birds of prey, particularly the peregrine falcon. She aimed to portray agility, fluidity, and freedom in her collection.
Sofia Castellon, the recipient of the Nina Steward Award, also stood out with her knitwear designs that incorporated her Mexican American identity. Castellon experimented with elastic in her textiles, which came in shades of pink, blue, and white. Her works were contorted over metal and plastic structures, and she also incorporated personal materials into her designs.
To put it all in context, Central Saint Martins’ annual BA graduate show showcased the innovation and creativity of the fashion industry’s next generation of designers. Each designer pushed the boundaries of traditional techniques and materials to create unique and sustainable designs. The event proved that fashion is not just about aesthetics but also about sustainability and innovation.
