Northumbria’s catwalk showed us an eclectic mix of designs, with everything from neon brights to muted neutrals walking the runway.
Opening was Jasmine Bennett, who’s choice of music - The Chemical Brothers - set the tone for her collection, and the afternoon, with her use of volume to add drama to her elegant looks. Following her was Emma Rigby, who was the first to give us the flavour of the collections that would follow, with pops of neon throughout and an oversized supermarket carrier bag jacket that closed out her futuristic looks.
There was a running theme of bold colours, with the majority of the collections experimenting with fluorescent pinks and oranges, and oversized silhouettes giving a psychedelic flare. There were some excellent examples of tailoring in both the menswear and womenswear looks, and several designers pushed androgyny to the limit with menswear collections containing delicate satin tops and womenswear focussing on sharp tailoring.
Lauryn Logan’s menswear was the perfect example of colour and tailoring with her kaleidoscopic utility influences juxtaposed against The Prodigy’s “Outer Space”, whilst Steph Sarkey’s in-your-face fluffy rainbow of colours was joyful and unique as the models walked to “Rich Girl” by Gwen Stefani in fur covered platforms.
Providing a much needed contrast throughout were a series of menswear looks that brought drama and edge. Dean Henry Younger served up leather vests, bare chests and patent harness bags and had a flare of androgyny and grit that broke up the bright colours and feminine silhouettes around it.
Billowing black coats and a spectacular head piece set Jodie Evans’ show apart from the others, with voluminous tailoring and heavy fabrics that made her work stand out.
Closing the show was Emily Jaggers soft and sweet floral inspired looks, complete with a crown and a spectacular show stopping gown that was the perfect dramatic end to Northumbria’s diverse and dramatic presentation.
Written by Faith Richardson
Photography by Mathushaa Sagthidas and Becky Louise