Royal College of Art 2011 Show
Want to see the future?
If someone tells you they study/will study/have studied at the Royal College of Art, it is guaranteed that you won’t respond with an, “Oh right, where’s that, then?” Instead you’re expected to become suitable flustered, exclaiming something along the lines of, “Ooh really? Lucky you, well done!” before hanging your head in shame, since you’re not talented as they are.
The world of fashion is more than dusted with RCA graduates. Erdem, Holly Fulton, Christopher Bailey (creative director at Burberry), James Long, Nina Ricci, along with so many others started their careers with the ink from ‘RCA – Fashion MA’ still wet on their CVs.
This year, the standard went up a notch with the MA students’ awe-inspiring Ready-To-Wear A/W 2011 collections. On Wednesday 1st June 33 students sent the fruits of their labours down the catwalk in 4 shows throughout the day.
A designer that had every pair of eyes transfixed on their entire collection was Abnit Nijjar. Previewed by the Telegraph, Abnit graduated from the prestigious Central St Martins womenswear degree two years ago and has stormed this year’s MA class. Her clothes were comprised of striking but simple cuts, with sharp flashes of glitter and leaf-like appliqué shapes streaming their way across the designs.
Another impressive student was menswear designer Calum Harvey. Long pink suits and coats adorned with feathers somehow maintained a bold masculinity. Harvey’s pieces continued the over-sizing trend that was strong at the show, with large, broad shoulders being a key characteristic in his designs.
The talent overflowed at the event, drowning every captivated audience member in pride and stupefaction. It wouldn’t be too much of a gamble to bet that the future of British design is a bright one indeed.
Abnit Nijjar
Calum Harvey