Fashion and Eco-conscious students from Blackpool and The Fylde College’s School of Art, Media and Performance have held the Fylde Coast’s first ever Fairtrade Fashion Show.

Featuring one off designs produced by Fashion and Clothing students as well as collections from well known Fairtrade companies such as The People Tree, the show aimed to promote Fairtrade Cotton and encourage people to think about the origin of the clothes they buy.

For the first time, students from the School of Hairdressing, Beauty and Related Therapies at the College were drafted in to do hair and make up for the show creating a successful cross College collaboration.

Collections showcased included:

• The People Tree: Ethically friendly fashion made from organic cotton. Young casual feel to this collection endorsed by Emma Watson (Harry Potter).
• The Beach: Midnight blue and silver collection inspired by the natural coastline at night, stars and moon.
• Organic Cotton Collection: White organic cotton and t-shirts made into casual hoodies, cropped tops, leggings and t-shirts – fun and funky.
• Rag Bag Angel: Eclectic mix of redesigned and remade garments breathing new life and giving them a new style.
• Beaumont Organic: The Ultimate in 21st Century Clothing, creating elegant, simplistic and beautiful clothing to the highest standard, whilst also being environmentally friendly and ethically minded.
• The 70's revisited: Re-vamped clothing inspired by the 70's punk era, deep colour palette featuring purple, black, and red tartan with a mostly a punk feel.

Hair was crimped and back combed to create an organic looking style while make up featured pastel shades with floral motifs painted on cheekbones for the organic and ethical collections, with the Beach and 70's punk collections using more dramatic techniques, glitter and gems.

The Organic Cotton Collection was raffled off at the end of the show to raise money for Oxfam, who also attended and set up a stall at the event.

Daniel Facey, 17, a second year Fashion and Clothing student, said:

“It was quite challenging creating a collection using only cotton but I think Fairtrade is a pressing issue and should be prioritised. It’s important to think about the people who make our clothes too.”

Elliss Lundy, 19, who is studying an Extended Diploma in Fashion and Clothing, added:

“I designed and made the fishtail outfit from ‘The Beach’ collection and a punk outfit. It’s been a fun show to work on. We’ve learnt a lot about the cotton industry and the effect it has on people in class beforehand so I’m pleased we’re promoting Fairtrade.”

Victoria Martin, 18, a Level 2 Hair and Media students said:

“I’ve been crimping the models’ hair all morning ready for the show. I also modelled some of the clothes today and I was surprised at how nice some of the outfits were. Even though they’re Fairtrade they are still very pretty. I’ve really enjoyed working on the show – hopefully I can do it again!”