Monday report

It was cloudier and much cooler today which made the job of covering GFW 2007 much more pleasant. Team today was Selene Pearson, reporter and video shooter, David Jones on front-of-house and Gabriela Zavarosova on docu-pics. The first show was a joint affair - Thames Valley University followed by Northbrook. Good pace and production and some collections that shone. Overall, gotta say, the standard this year is very high. The finishing and detail on garments are a credit to the students, tutors and technicians that are crucial to the process.

 

Angela Christodoulou, Rochester

Elizabeth Elves, Northumbria

TVU presented collections by 12 students. Katie Lincoln's knitwear in forest colours with medieval references hit a note and the choice of Timbs for footwear actually worked. Sheuly Begum Sattar's British-Asian outfits are knockout. Loved the juxtaposing of traditional stitching and Indian dress with the punk London elements like the Royal Guards motif on skirts. But best of all was her combination of fabrics. Raw silk and tweed, Dorset meets Delhi. She told us that as a British-born Asian she wanted to use both cultures. She said that her whole family got involved, sewing for her. An honest collection that splices traditional with modern together.

At Northbrook Oliver Atkins impressed with a menswear collection that seems to play homage to Clockwork Orange. White bowler hats, silver trousers, funked-up dress shirts and braces. Jamie Butcher's womenswear also stood out: skeleton-bone leggings and circus-like, super duper long-sleeved jumpers where the arms draped like withering tapers. Gareth Williams' menswear accessorised with leather saddle bags is impactful. Chunky knits, slouchy credible corduroy trousers, vast pockets, hooded coat with leather panels - good stuff.

Rochester had a commanding gothic backdrop and a packed house, enthusiastic and whooping from the off. This is another Graduate Fashion Week gem feature - the audience often gets truly excited and cheers - as we should - for the students and their work. Claire Conisbee's menswear has some special touches: the door hook fastening on jackets looked incredible, as did her midriff waistcoats. Fanny Kellerman's womenswear with playful prints, loose tunic dresses and cocoon shapes are intriguing - most of the collection is very wearable and some of the shapes deliciously simple. Dharma Taylor delivered a fast-paced nu rave blinder. A bit bonkers with the Day-glo.

Today we met a top fella - stylist Richard Shoyemi. Working in London and New York he uses GFW to scout for new designers to work with and he had a few words on video and thankfully he is an fuk.co.uk regular. On the stands we met Laura Fields - a hugely talented designer whose sleeping bags and roll-up suitcase were stylish and utterly practical. Victoria Bolton is inspired by shirts and her range of androgenous shirt-based clothing and accessories are beautifully made.

We also had a chat with Angela Christodoulou from Rochester whose deconstructed school uniforms and funny twist on preppy demanded our attention at the show. Good ideas well executed - styled with wonky eyewear, button socks and low-slung ties. Elizabeth Elves from Northumbria has a passion for knitwear and talked us through her collection.

Graduate Fashion Week is inspirational. It's an honour to be able to meet the raw talents coming through.