On Saturday, students at UCM put on a sensational fashion show extravaganza which showcased woollen garments designed and created by fashion students studying in the College’s Art, Design and Media Department.

The show was the culmination of a collaborative project the College has been working on with the organisers of the 7th North Atlantic Native Sheep and Wool Conference, which this year was held on the Island. As well as modelling their own creations, students also exhibited garments made by members the North Atlantic Sheep and Wool organisation, which included contributions from Norway, Shetland, Iceland and the Hebrides. Local offerings were similarly displayed with designs from Calum Harvey and Helen Winter, and garments from the Laxey Woollen Mills.

Inspiration for the students’ work was drawn from the concept of the conference and by research in to the wool from rare breeds. This was also the starting point for some fabulous headdresses and hair styles, which were conceived and crafted by the College’s hair and beauty students.

Pat Kelly, the conference organiser, was visibly moved by the spectacle, which received a standing ovation. The event held in the College’s main hall which had been decorated with students’ art work and lit by lights borrowed from Ballakermeen High School, operated by the Manx Youth Service. Refreshments were made and served by hospitality and catering students and as a show of gratitude to the College, Mrs Kelly encouraged donations to the UCM Student Emergency Fund.

Jo Pretty, UCM Principal, hosted the show, ‘This was a truly collaborative event, made special by the fact that everyone involved embraced the vision our students had for the evening. I am very proud of the creativity on display and see it as testament to both the freedom for artistic expression we afford our students and the teaching of the discipline that is required to realise their imaginations.’

The evening was such a success that UCM are planning similar occasions for the future. A video of the event was made by the College’s media students and is available on UCM’s social media platforms.