MFN had the pleasure of getting in on some more GFW action at the Manchester School of Art’s GFW Homecoming show at Capitol Theatre in Manchester. We revisited some of the best GFW 2010 collections and were also treated to some new pieces whilst chatting with some of the industry’s newest talent.

The show featured the entire MMU School of Art’s graduating body’s collections, some of which had not had the opportunity to show in London. In total twenty eight designers exhibited whilst friends, family, tutors and a couple of Manchester’s industry professionals watched. The evening was introduced by speeches, prize giving and thanks given from students and tutors alike which give the evening a personal and informal feel when compared to the highly competitive and stressful GFW period at Earl’s Court, London.

Michael Bolton

One such industry professional was Martine Alexander, personal stylist to the stars, Liverpool ONE’s chief style advisor and regular MFN event attendee. Martine attended the show to enable her and her business to stay “ahead of the game and raise the bar”. Martine values the MMU Graduate show highly, commenting on the School’s tendency toward fresh fashion, stating that it “is a great arena to source local, amazing, raw talent.” Martine’s business is based in Manchester and says of the local fashion industry that it “doesn’t get credit for the talent that is created here. The fashion style in Manchester is getting a lot more experimental and fashion forward which is great for students to feel safe to experiment with their fashion sense”.

Poppy Warwicker Le-Breton

With regards to the experimental and “fashion forward” sense of style, MMU certainly delivered. Some collections were elaborate and made a statement, some were intricate, subtle and superbly commercial and others were everything in between. Onlookers were presented with a flamboyant but essentially wearable men’s knit jacket from Penny Armstrong. A fresh and radical obsession with sleeves from Jessica Nicol, incredible silhouettes deriving from an exciting use of material from a McQueen infused Michael Bolton-Heaton and some interesting use of wool from Poppy Warwicker Le-Breton.

Jessica Nicol

MFN got the chance to chat with some of MMU’s best designers about their future after GFW. Michael Bolton-Heaton’s designs were heavily structured and emphasised a tight physique, whilst being Romantic and feminine in their light hues and styling. Heaton has enjoyed his course at The Manchester School of Art immensely and says of studying in Manchester: “Manchester I would without a doubt recommend. For me it's like a mini London... I am thrilled I did my degree in Manchester.” Rebecca Thomson, school chum, toast of GFW and winner of the coveted River Island Gold Award, agreed; “Manchester has been a great place to live and be active in gaining inspiration every day... I will miss it when I leave!” Both young designers were equally thrilled to show their collection in Manchester, Thomson spoke of the evening’s diversity, “The Manchester show was also great because there were more of us in it and therefore more great designs”.

Michael Bolton

What does the future hold for the two graduates? Rebecca Thomson aims to complete and Masters in London and is now able to do so with “a huge weight off my mind and my family” now that she has won the £20,000 Gold Award cash prize. Michael Bolton-Heaton has had his work already called in for a shoot with Dazed & Confused magazine and has been invited to complete a Masters in Fashion Design Technology at the London College of Fashion. However, Mancunion residents need not fret as both designers hold Manchester close to their hearts with Heaton stating what he would “love to base [his] business in Manchester” however both he and Rebecca Thomson pleaded for someone to open a fabric shop as, in Thomson’s words, “I would struggle to access a lot of the sources that only London has to offer.”

We are sure you’ll join us in wishing the entire MMU graduating body every success in the future and hope that they’ll pay Manchester a visit soon, perhaps with a new boutique?

Words by Jordan McDowell. Images courtesy of Catwalking.com

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