Central Saint Martins’ B.A. Class of 2021 Graduation Show is an Optimistic Look into the Future

Emerging fashion talents presented their creations in an exciting, dynamic show.

Last Tuesday, students at the prestigious Central Saint Martins presented their undergraduate collections in a dynamic show full of color and energy. The final show is the school’s equivalent of a final exam, and it’s an opportunity for emerging talents to showcase some of their best designs to the world. 

Photo by Miguel Martim. Via Instagram/@csm_news.

Because of Covid restrictions, this year, the show – which is normally presented to hundreds of guests – had to be scaled down to an audience of just 30 people. Many of the 102 graduating students modeled their own creations on a patchwork made of their leftover fabrics. Giant sculptures and a “huge rubber duck” also decorated the set. 

Photo by Miguel Martim. Via Instagram/@csm_news.

The show was a balm after a grim year filled with uncertainty, with many of the carefully crafted designs coming in voluptuous shapes featuring an explosion of colors and details. Seli Arku-Korsi, who won the Class of 2021 Young Talent Award, for example, presented a look that included a nearly abstract pattern of faces printed on a cape and bold shapes on puffer pants. 

Joint first runner-up Karina Bondareva’s design featuring multiple flower-like accessories was created using just a glue gun, felt, and matches, while Dylan Etienne-Ramsay went for a black-and-white look that included thigh-high platform boots. 

Photo by Niall McInerney. Via Instagram/@csm_news.

Both of the joint second runner-ups were knitwear graduates: Jamie Howes, who walked a surreal, mostly orange design, and Ellen Poppy Hill, who created a multi-layered piece in white with black and blue details. 

This year’s graduates join famous Central Saint Martins alumni, including names like Stella McCartney, John Galliano, and Alexander McQueen. Congratulations!

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