On Saturday 2 March 2019 pupils from eight schools across Hertfordshire took part in the 25th annual St Chris Recycled Fashion Show.
The catwalk show featured over 80 costumes designed, made and modelled by students from Whitehill Junior School; The William Ransom Primary School; St Andrew’s C of E Primary School; Fearnhill School; PHC; Hitchin Girls’ School; Knights Templar School and junior and senior school pupils from St Chris, who had been working on their costumes for weeks.
The theme for this year’s show was New Frontiers: Visions of the Future. Between one and four students formed the design team for each costume, and spent weeks designing and creating them using recycled materials.
On the day the students put together hair, make up and accessories to complete the finished look for the show, which was accompanied by live music in the St Chris theatre.
An expert judging panel picked a selection of winners from different age categories. This year’s panel comprised: Luella Bartley, global design director of Calvin Klein jeans and creative director of Hillier Bartley; Jonathan Miller, visiting lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire and specialist in visual identity, information design and design management; Suzannah Crabb, designer, stylist and trend forecaster; Corinna Brabazon, Product Development Manager for Stella McCartney Menswear.
The category winners were:
- Junior class winner: Ollie Barker, Dulcie Rogers, Lara McCarthy and Amelie Smith who designed and Lara McCarthy who modelled.
- Lower School class winner: Maisie Semple Jones – designer and model
- GCSE winner: Tyler Owens – designer and model
- A-level winner: Zoe Holmstoel – designer and model
- Best Overall Use of Recycled Materials: Alfie Willer-Watson – designer and model
- Best Overall Design: Georgia Owens – designer and model
Richard Palmer, Head said: “The Recycled Fashion Show has been a highlight of the St Chris calendar for 25 years, and the reason that it has been at the heart of school life for so long is because it represents the very best of what we believe in as a community.
The foremost of these is the spirit of collaboration between St Chris and our partner schools and arts organisations – some of whom have supported the event for all of its 25 years!
I am always amazed by the high levels of creativity and individuality and the multitude of different costume ideas that respond to each year’s theme. The range of costumes pays tribute to the wide array of experiences, personalities and aspirations of the pupils involved.
Together the schools who take part celebrate and encourage creativity across the curriculum, supporting children to develop confidence and self-belief. Pupils embrace a spirit of innovation, researching and developing new approaches to using different materials and constructs to achieve their vision.
In a consumer-focused world where fast fashion is readily available, it is reassuring to know that the next generation of designers, inventors and problem-solvers tackle the environmental challenges we all face with such creativity and resourcefulness.”
Proceeds from this year’s show are being donated to the Best Before Café, Letchworth.
Exhibition
Over 40 of the best costumes will be displayed in an exhibition at the Letchworth Community Museum:
Private view: Friday 8 March, 6.30 to 8.30pm
Exhibition open to the public: Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March, Thursday 14 to Sunday 17 March.
10.00am to 5.00pm. Free entry.
Images by Nick Gibbons, Reel Photography