Students raise the fashion stakes at ocean-themed event

Young designers saw their creations come to life at a King’s Lynn school’s annual fashion show.

Students at Springwood High School became models for the night at the sold-out event which showcased the designs of the school’s fashion students.

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Imaginative work on show included that of members of Springwood’s Fashion Club, alongside creations from pupils studying fashion and design at the school, a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“This was the first year that Year 12 had a theme, which was the ocean,” said course leader Emma Markwell, who organised the evening.

“They each made an ocean-themed top and prom dress, with embellishments including innovative, modern laser-cut motifs, plywood shells and acrylic shapes, along with traditional, hand-stitched embroidery, appliqué and ruffles.”

The Fashion Club members,  in Years 8 and 9 at the school, made mini-skirts using up-cycled fabrics, while the Year 13 designers chose their own projects to showcase to guests, including the Mayor of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Margaret Wilkinson.

Highlights included Eve Hipkin’s ‘visceral’ red dress, which she had designed to “give the viewer the feeling of the inside of the body being on the outside”, and Max Fysh’s classic ‘Little Black Dress’, which was inspired by the timeless Chanel design worn by Lily-Rose Depp in 2019.

Among the other Year 13 creations were retro 60s pieces by Izzy Perillo, who drew inspiration from The Beatles and Mary Quant.

“Izzy’s Mary Quant-inspired dress was so tiny we had to get a Year 7 student to model it,” said Miss Markwell. “It was embellished with laser-cut flowers on the belt, and was such a cute little dress.”

Abi Sneesby chose to make a political statement with her jacket, which featured the names of all the MPs who voted against gay marriage in 2013, embroidered on one sleeve.

“For my students to showcase all their talents and skills and show just how fabulous they are was amazing,” added Miss Markwell. “I do feel I made some dreams come true – I felt a little like a Fairy Godmother!

“Seeing the students’ creations come to life on the catwalk after all their hard work is a great way to celebrate the end of the year. It will be our tenth anniversary next year, and we’re already planning it – it’s going to be huge!”

Springwood teachers also took part for the first time this year, following the introduction of a Staff Collection run in collaboration with long term sponsor the Fent Shop and charity Veterans at Ease.
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“We wanted to encourage people to donate to charity shops,” explained Miss Markwell. “Five members of staff each picked out an outfit from the charity shop to feature in the show  – and both the shops are going to have window displays featuring the Year 13 Fashion Show designs.”

More than 250 people attended the event, where refreshments were provided by the PTFA, and all money raised will be used to fund the fashion course.

Behind-the-scenes support came from Matt Austin, who set up the runway and was light and sound engineer, and Year 13 student Chloe Sayer, who choreographed the models.