University of Brighton BA Fashion 2014

The University of Brighton's BA Fashion class of 2014 saw 21 graduates unveil their designs on the catwalk at the Old Truman Brewery in London this week. Taking inspiration everywhere from Picasso's Cubist period to childhood consumerist dreams, the collections saw hand-crafted pieces, innovative cuts and duvet-style volumes storm the show. Here, we select the top of the class.

DEAN JENNINGS

Initial reaction:

In preparation for a sacrificial ritual, raffia posing as wheat stalks were given a DIY edge as they were bound around the body.

Inspiration:

From Robin Hardy’s 1973 horror flick Wicker Man to Pagan rituals, Jennings is bringing Wiccan codes of the past into the present in order to give them new context.

Innovation:

Raffia was hand tied in order to create each piece, creating over-coats, jumpers, dresses and trousers. Blurring the boundaries of art and fashion, a faceless model sported a helmet of what looked to be a headful of black angora; more creature than human.

ALICE VERRALL

Initial reaction:

White, fluffy duvet-esque volumes draped and swamped the body in true slumber party style.

Inspiration:

Realising her childhood dreams in the modern day, Verrall referenced her long-ago yearning to own a Cabbage Patch Kid. Enchanted by their shapes and clothes, she looked to these as her starting point.

Innovation:

Taking the Cabbage Patch Kid's chubby, stitched together, bulging arms and legs and seeking comfort in their silhouettes, Verrall used this to exaggerate, hide and expose the body in an unconventional way.

DAN CAO

Initial reaction:

Like multi-coloured paper dolls, asymmetric tabs of fabric wrapped around the body; torsos, shoulders and waists.

Inspiration:

Cao titled the collection 'Paradox' and wanted to combine different elements such as dance, the Cubist works of Picasso and the natural curves of the body.

Innovation:

Combining straight lines and the body’s curves, Cao brings a modernity to what could typically be seen as ultra feminine.