IDENTITY, culture and history merged on the catwalk for a thought-provoking end of year show.

Colchester Institute’s BA Fashion and Textiles show was held at Firstsite and celebrated another successful and creative year for the budding designers.

Students from all three years of the degree programme exhibited their bespoke garments and textile pieces to a thrilled audience of friends, family and faculty leaders.

The live soundtrack was performed by Colchester band and students, Cheeky Martinez, and Charlotte Ellen entertained guests with her acoustic set.

Photography degree students also photographed the models as they showed off their work on the night, bringing together different faculties from the college.

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Course leader Val Jacobs said: “The show is a fantastic opportunity for students to see their ideas presented on models to such a large scale audience.”

She added: “Our first year students’ garments were based on treasured items and artefacts, while the second years’ outfits investigated masculinity and femininity.

“However, our third years’ showed their own final collections, which they project managed from concept through to creating the prints, and production.”

Val continued: “There was some really lovely feedback from the audience who expressed how impressed they were at the high quality of work.

“Firstsite was an excellent venue for a fashion show.”

Third year student Jade Spindler said she felt proud to show off her accomplishments.

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The 21-year-old said: “When I graduate, I’d like to work for a sportswear company and I feel my final designs will help me reach this goal.”

She added: “The show taught me many useful skills which I’ll use when I enter the work environment.

“Projects like this are also useful for portfolio recognition as it gets your name out there to a wider audience.”

The event will be followed with a free Creative Arts Show at the Sheepen Road campus in Colchester on June 17,where the students’ collections will be exhibited alongside other works from the Faculty of Creative Arts.

It will take place from 6pm until 10pm.

For more information, contact Colchester Institute on 01206 712000.