Central Saint Martins moves annual fashion show online

Graduates of the Arts University debuted a collection of self-made films and expressed their views on London Fashion Week’s new digital platform.

Today, three months after the Government initially imposed a nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of Coronavirus, restrictions have begun to lift and a semblance of normalcy has returned.

Unfortunately for the fashion world however, mass gatherings are still a long way off from taking place and members of the industry are having to come up with new ways to showcase their work.

Although nobody could have predicted the circumstances in which students of Central Saint Martins would be presenting their collections, London Fashion Week’s recent venture into virtual reality has given them an opportunity to innovate. And innovate they have. In a series of self-made films debuted on the platform, graduates of the Arts University were able to share their radical views on fashion and society right in the middle of an inherently turbulent time.

Armed with nothing but their own limited resources and an unshakeable optimism, ‘finding beauty and power through struggle,’ emerged as the prevalent theme during the 20 minute exposition.

Of the eight students involved in the lineup, Jessan Macatangay was the highlight, building a chromatic structure from scrap chairs and layers of colourful draping to illustrate his narrative that overcoming life’s obstacles only makes you grow.

‘The collection starts from a big sculpture on a body and then it becomes smaller on the next models,’ he said. ‘This signifies that when you face a struggle, it becomes smaller and eventually becomes part of your body, making you stronger, more powerful and a better person.’