Fashion students’ work projected on London Oxford Street store

Four Solent University final-year fashion students’ work is currently being projected on the front of the Flannels store, at the heart of the iconic Oxford Street, London.

The successful students, Elysia Palmer, Natalie Vest-Jones, Ieva Sutkute and Paris Phillips Broad were chosen to be included in the exhibition which will see their work displayed on the store throughout June, after winning a recent competition with W1 Curates.

The competition is in collaboration with Graduate Fashion Week, an annual event, now in its 30th year, which showcases the next generation of fashion. The works on display in the Flannels store will show some of the incredible talents from the class of 2021.

Out of 250 entries, only 50 were chosen to have their work included in the exhibition – of which four are from Solent.

Ieva Sutkute’s, images (pictured in feature image) represent men wearing feminine clothing. Some of her work is inspired by famous musician and model – Harry Styles, who has been having an incredibly positive effect on the public in the past few years when it comes to gender fluid clothing and toxic masculinity.

Ieva, 22, BA (Hons) Fashion Styling & Creative Direction says: “I put a lot of thought into this project and the images convey a deep message, which will be seen by many people, and this is definitely what I am most excited about. Hopefully, my work will encourage men to let go of toxic masculinity or at least give them a cause of reflection.”

Elysia Palmer’s project is a coffee table book based on the topic of gender. Featuring 16 individuals in a mixture of remote and studio/location shoots, the book celebrates a range of different gender identities and their chosen self-expression through styled fashion outcomes.

Elysia, 21, BA (Hons) Fashion Photography, says: “London is like a second home to me and for my work to be shown in the centre of the city that has inspired my passion for artistry and fashion, is something I am so proud of and excited to see.”

Natalie’s Vest-Jones book uses fashion & beauty images to challenge the Fairy tale genre and create an escape, featuring independent female narratives, sexually liberated styling, and inclusive casting.

Natalie, 22, BA (Hons) Fashion Styling & Creative Direction, says: “I am very excited to go see it in person. This is definitely a big milestone for me.”

Paris Phillips Broad magazine relates to the use of a camera in the way that it takes snapshots of various moments in time, which can be interpreted and manipulated by the viewer in any way they choose. Her work was inspired by and focuses on topics including the Black Lives Matter Movement, the lockdown period and life after lockdown.

Paris, 21, BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Creative Direction, says: “It feels like all my hard work has paid off. I can’t wait to show everyone my talents in styling and directing, not to mention the insane Instagram pictures that will be taken!”

Course Leader, Emma Calder adds: “We are so incredibly proud of how hard the students have worked during this turbulent year, and the way in which through it all, our final year students have stayed focused, professional and above all, creative.

“Having their work chosen to be shown on Oxford Street, London, as part of the W1 Curates x GFW competition, is a testimony to how innovative and resourceful they have become. They are the image-makers of the future and we can’t wait to see what they do next.”

The four successful Solent students work is on display on the Flannels Store, Oxford Street, London from 14 – 25 June 2021.