Inspire 2002

Fashion exchange event hit by politics

Following the success of Inspire 2001, The British Council sponsored four graduating UK fashion students to travel overseas and create capsule collections inspired by their visits in 2002. Avshalom Gur (MA, Central St Martin's) and Christelle Kocher (Central St Martin's) travelled to Guangzhou, China while Tracey Bartlett (University of East London) and Juha Jori Marttila (Central St Martin's) travelled to Jakarta. The Jakarta show took place on the day of the Bali bombing and two further shows planned were then cancelled. "What happened didn't really sink in while we were there," says Juha whose seven-piece collection was featured. "Jakarta is a shanty town and a few of us did find it strange designing luxury amongst the poverty. We wondered if it had any relevance, but we were proved wrong as there was loads of interest in the show." Juha's collection is still in Jakarta and the designer hopes to sell some of the pieces on its return to the UK. The final part of the Chinese Inspire takes place in May 2003.

• For more information on Inspire visit the website.
• For more information on Juha Jori Marttila's collection email j.marttila@talk21.com.