Yarmouth College fashion show at Ocean Room, Gorleston. Left to right are Olivia Hanson (17), Alice Bowen (17), Chloe Thomason (17) and Sam Howes (17). Photo: Andy Darnell

Student designers sent the culmination of two years’ hard work, imagination and creativity down the catwalk last night to the applause of 900 family and friends.

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From the flamboyant and exotic to the simple and perfectly tailored, models on the ‘runway’ showed off more than 30 final collections by foundation degree and diploma students at Great Yarmouth College and UCS Great Yarmouth.

Some of the original designs at the Ocean Room, Gorleston had been made from scratch with students creating their own fabric by dying and weaving then creating their individual garments.

Other textile designs had been digitally created and printed on the college’s industry standard £30,000 digital printer in the fashion workshop.

Joining the fashion and textiles students in what has become a highlight of the college year were art, design and photography students with their ‘anti-fashion’ collection of wearable art Lady Gaga style.

Course leader Caroline Allison said Great Yarmouth enjoyed a reputation for high quality design, techniques and finishing with former students moving on to enjoy careers in the industry, not only as designers but as buyers and fashion lecturers.

“We have got a name here for high standards and a broad skills base and our students work incredibly hard to achieve the best. We aim to arm them with what it takes to make the most of as many opportunities as they can in the industry.

“We are always extremely proud of what they achieve and what they go on to do.”

Inspirations for this year’s diploma collections ranged from 1980s hip-hop wear to Romany culture.

Foundation degree collections included bridalwear, intricate corsetry and underwear, a Japanese ‘cute’ “Sweet and Lovely “ collection and corsets based on fairytale characters.

First year diploma students showed garments created out of recycled clothes from charity shops and first year foundation degree students showed bodices and fascinators.

It was the fourth annual catwalk show for Sharlene Czykieta who joined the college as a school-leaver on the two-year BTEC National Diploma and is now completing her foundation degree before topping up to a full BA (hons) in Arts Practice next year at UCS Great Yarmouth – at the same time as taking on running her family fancy dress business in Great Yarmouth.

Donna Goddard, who has taught Sharlene since her first day at college, said the joy of her job was to watch students like her blossom from school leavers into talented ambitious designers.

Also teaching this year’s students was former Great Yarmouth College student Ellie Mead.

Six years ago, Ellie was chosen from thousands of young designers to show her final degree collection at the catwalk of London’s Graduate Fashion Week.

At the time Ellie said she owed her success to the skills, guidance and inspiration to her teachers at Great Yarmouth College.

Now she has joined them to skill a new generation.

Nearly half of the final year foundation degree students will remain at UCS Great Yarmouth for another year to top up to a BA (hons) Arts Practice.

*To find out more about fashion courses at Great Yarmouth visit www.gyc.ac.uk or www.ucs.ac.uk