Staff Writer Nayna Shekhar takes the readers backstage, reminiscing on the King’s College London (KCL) Fashion Society’s spectacular show.
On the evening of 29 March, The Great Hall at the Strand campus hosted KCL Fashion Society’s annual charity fashion show, a showcase of community and creativity. This year, the proceeds from the event were donated to the International Red Cross. Sold out, the show was a testament to the dedication to the arts in London.
Setting the (Back)stage
The day started long before the doors opened. By early morning, designers, stylists, models and hair and makeup artists had arrived. They were followed by the crew and photographers.
Backstage, the atmosphere was bustling. Tables normally reserved for classroom use were transformed into vanities as pens and pencils were replaced with lip- and eyeliners. Brushes, fabric and matcha cups adorned the room. KCLFashionSoc’s excellent taste was reflected in their music as upbeat Y2k tunes drifted from portable speakers. Laughter mixed with the distinct scent of hairspray filled the air. A backstage crew member expressed that she loved being “part of the team that brought the show to life”. She “especially liked doing the model’s hair and then seeing them strut the runway”.
A Show in Three Acts
The event was structured into three acts, with each segment presenting a collection accompanied by live music. The Blue Giant Quartet opened the evening with a wonderful jazz prelude and returned for the first interlude. Later, Horizon Blues and Lower Ground performed delightful tunes during the second interlude and postlude. The live music perfectly accompanied the fashion and elevated the atmosphere.
Making a Statement
The range of work on display was fresh and vivid. The collections were a stunning reflection of talent applied to personal and cultural inspiration. For instance, House of Alvin’s ‘Antoinette 1999’ imagined five heiresses borrowing haute couture for a wild night out, while Akyra’s ‘Reverie en Fleurs’ infused early 2000s summers with floral motifs.
Others turned everyday elements into high fashion. Fah’s “Sleepwalk” transformed bed sheets into wearable garments, playing with the work-life balance debates. Yuki’s ‘Bits N Bobs’ repurposed functional details into unique pieces and Austeja’s ‘Revive’ used denim to create sustainable silhouettes. Conceptual collections like Simon Nora Dreyfus’ ‘Vanishment’ and Linh Haugan’s ‘Senescence’ explored ideas of accident and resilience. Meanwhile, Tan’s “Wonderland” took an absurdist take on ‘Alice in Wonderland’.
Each collection was paired with music and lighting, creating distinct environments for the designer’s vision. From soft pastels to harsh textiles, the variety reflected the diversity in fashion.
The Collective
The entire show was a collaboration of students from different disciplines, united by a shared goal of celebrating fashion while supporting a meaningful cause. At its heart, the event went beyond highlighting spectatular designs – it also celebrated the spirit of community. The imagination, resilience and teamwork behind the curtains and on the runway was admirable.
That’s a wrap!
Images courtesy of Nayna Shekhar.
