Fashion students from Sandwell College visited two landmark London exhibitions in one day.
First up they saw DIVA at the V&A South Kensington, celebrating the power and creativity of iconic performers including Billie Eilish, Beyonce and Lady Gaga.
Highlights there were the Sketch of Flame dress designed for Tina Turner and Whitney Houston performing at Wembley Arena.
Second on the students’ itinerary was the REBEL: 30 Years of London Fashion exhibition, sponsored by Alexander McQueen.
This survey of contemporary fashion culture tells the story of hundreds of fearless young designers who have transformed the fashion landscape, and brings together exuberant, rebellious and radical garments.
Featuring nearly 100 innovative fashion looks which have entered pop-culture history and launched global design careers, highlights included the swan dress controversially worn by Björk at the 2001 Oscars, Harry Styles’ Steven Stokey Daley outfit from his video for ‘Golden’, and Sam Smith’s inflatable latex suit by HARRI from this year’s BRIT Awards.
Collections and work by JW Anderson, Wales Bonner, Erdem, Molly Goddard, Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha, Russell Sage also featured alongside many more.
Films, drawings, memorabilia and never-before-seen archive material from some of the most well-known contemporary UK-based designers offered the learners an unprecedented look at how careers in fashion are forged, and the multitude of opportunities London’s fashion scene offers young creatives.
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