In future: fashion’s bright young things

Taken from the new print issue of THE FACE. Get your copy here.

This June, we went to Central Saint Martins’ BA Fashion graduate show: the annual, hour-long event that presents 100+ student designers’ final collections to the editors, buyers and talent incubators who will (hopefully) help them get discovered. Perhaps it was the sun, maybe it was the famed London art school’s anarchic spirit. But once the show was over, we felt, well, bloody brilliant. From Tazmin Porter’s infectious inflatables and Sofia Castellon’s warrior-like wrestlers, to Joshua Aikeremiokha’s naughty slogans and Eden Tan’s stunning finale, which saw waves of tartan fabric unrolling out of garments, this year’s cohort, from across the fashion colleges, went all upbeat on us. Yes, when fashion cuts deep and gets political, it warrants a toast. But when everything is turning to crap, it’s no mean feat putting grins on our grumpy faces. Fashion can’t save the world. But it can make us feel good, right?

Name: Edith Peony
Age: 20
Where did you grow up? London, then Rhode Island, then London again
University: Central Saint Martins
Degree: BA (Hons) Menswear
First fashion memory?
I used to make clothes for my Barbies out of scraps from my mum’s lingerie brand, Strumpet and Pink.
Describe your designs in a few words.
​“Couturified” grey T‑shirt.
Write a message to yourself to read back in 10 years…
​“Are you still obsessed with grey?”

Age: 25
Where did you grow up? London
University: Westminster
Degree: BA Fashion/​Apparel Design
Favourite item of clothing you own?
The ​“blood splatter” coat from Raf Simons’s second season at Calvin Klein. I’m saving it for the right Halloween party.
Describe your designs in three words.
Folk-to-pop.
Who would you most like to see in your designs?
Cindy Sherman in one of her self-portraits.

Age: 25
Where did you grow up? Southeast London
University: Central Saint Martins
Degree: BA (Hons) and MA Fashion Design
First fashion memory?
I had a French ​“fashion designer” Nintendo DS game, which I could never complete because it said my final wedding dress challenge was too ugly. Favourite item of clothing you own?
My mum’s old jeans, covered in paint, with rips in the knees from working on theatre sets.
Write a message to yourself to read back in 10 years…
​“If you’re still in London, please leave. Love you.”

Age: 23
Where did you grow up? Nottingham
University: Central Saint Martins
Degree: BA (Hons) Menswear
First fashion memory?
Maison Margiela exhibition with Tabi footprints scattered around at Somerset House [in London]. I was 10, thinking they were a goat’s feet and a bit odd.
What’s the best thing your tutor said to you?
​“Just do the fucking thing.”
Who would you most like to see in your designs?
Paolo Nutini, Grace Jones, Björk, Ian Wright, Idris Elba, Bob Mortimer and the Nottingham Forest team.

Age: 25
Where did you grow up?
I was born in South Korea, raised in Singapore and Hong Kong.
University: London College of Fashion
Degree: MA Womenswear
Favourite designer:
John Galliano.
What do you listen to in the studio?
Lana Del Rey’s Born to Die.
Write a message to yourself to read back in 10 years…
​“Trust in your instincts. There’s no such thing as a mistake and perfection doesn’t exist.”

Age: 23
Where did you grow up? Farnborough, Hampshire
University: Central Saint Martins
Degree: BA (Hons) Fashion Design with Print
First fashion memory?
Helping to make costumes with my grandparents at their fancy dress store.
Who would you most like to wear your clothes?
My dad. It would be hilarious.
Write a message to yourself to read back in 10 years…
​“I hope you have a job and can afford to buy yourself a new phone to replace the very cracked one you are currently writing this on!”

Age: 23
Where did you grow up? Mexico City
University: Central Saint Martins
Degree: BA (Hons) Fashion Design with Knitwear
First fashion memory?
I used to be in competitive gymnastics and my favourite thing to do was to design my dream leotard.
Describe your designs in three words:
Mystical princess wrestlers.
Write a message to yourself to read back in 10 years…
​“In the face of uncertainty, remain resilient and optimistic. Believe in your ability to overcome challenges and create a positive impact in the world. Slay la vie.”

Age: 31
Where did you grow up? Baotou, China
University: Central Saint Martins
Degree: BA (Hons) Menswear
Favourite designers?
Raf Simons, Glenn Martens, me in the future…
First fashion memory?
Don’t know if it counts, but I collected all kinds of handkerchiefs when I was in nursery.
Where do you buy your clothes?
Wherever I can afford.

Age: 23
Where did you grow up? London
University: Central Saint Martins
Degree: BA (Hons) Menswear
First fashion memory?
My uncle’s denim shop in Malaysia.
Describe your designs in a few words.
Easily digested and playful.
What’s the best thing your tutor said to you?
​“Learn the rules so that you can subvert them.”

Name: Yura Romaniuk
Age: 21
Where did you grow up? Kherson, Ukraine
University: Kherson National Technical University
Degree: BA Fashion Design
Favourite designers:
Thierry Mugler, Cristobal Balenciaga, Elsa Schiaparelli and Vivienne Westwood.
What do you listen to in the studio?
Crystal Castles, Megan Thee Stallion, Deftones, Billie Eilish, Ice Spice, PinkPantheress, Lady Gaga.
Write a message to yourself to read back in 10 years…
​“Hi, Yura. So, did you go to Ao Island in Japan?”

Age: 23
Where did you grow up? Ealing, London
University: Central Saint Martins
Degree: BA (Hons) Womenswear
First fashion memory?
Wearing high-waisted shorts with leggings and an MTV crop top from River Island.
What do you listen to in the studio?
I’ll be listening to Etta James then Smooth Criminal by Alien Ant Farm will come on.
Write a message to yourself to read back in 10 years…
​“Be proud of whatever you accomplish and never forget to nurture your well-being. Find balance amid the chaos. And I won’t be mad if you retire in your mid-thirties and move to Hawaii.”

Hair Franziska Presche make-up Alice Dodds casting director Finlay MacAulay talent Yura at Premier, Erick and KP production 360PM senior producer Chris Cowan photo assistants Andrew Moores and Georgia Williams styling assistants Borys Korban and Stefania Gertis hair assistant Kei Takano make-up assistant Saaya Toshiro