Friday Show Report
Final day of AFW and the busiest day by far - even the builders from next door were having a look around the Fashion Market. Backstage was equally frantic, with hair and make up artists blow-drying and painting their models to pefection. There are plenty of designers looking anxious, in particluar Laura Toal who was made her AFW debut with 'Cut and Reveal' - a collection featuring six outfits that were cut and embellished to expose areas of the wearer's body, made from paper fabrics, sheepskin and leather.
Laura Toal (left) and The Trevi sisters
I get talking to two sisters in the Fashion Market who go by the name of Trevi. This design duo has no fashion training whatsoever. In fact, Cindy is a building surveyor and Nancy is a mother of two who is also studying music. Their love of fashion has lead them to design a range of bright geometric coats and jackets which are a real bargain at only £40 each!
Highlights from the show include some beautiful skirts and dresses by Laura-Jayne Thomas and asymmetrical pieces from Li Zhang. There was a real emphasis on bondage and dominatrix wear today and Alva Wilson's millinery collection sparked some excitement in the crowd by having bare-chested male models in just shorts and socks. The school girls in the audience loved it, not to mention me..
Judges for the last day of AFW were Hilary Alexander (The Telegraph), Boo Attwood (Heat mag), Daniela Agnelli (Telegraph magazine) and stylist Daisy De Villeneuve. Socialite Isabella Hervey was a no-show.
I spoke to Hilary Alexander after the finale and asked for her thoughts on today's show: "Having only come here once this week, I am sure that I have missed some great designers, but what I have seen today is very impressive", she told me. Hilary wasn't wrong, this has been a great week for showcasing young fashion talent.
Winner of the Individual Designer Award went to a well-deserving Sonal Patel and the Swatch College Award went to Colchester College of Art & Design.
Natalie Hines