Front Row goes Opera: a back stage view

HOT Street Style correspondent Bevali Francis reviews the Front Row fashion show from a behind the scenes perspective…

In the past three years I have been lucky enough to be involved in this wonderful event. Conceived in 2008 by Maika Crampton, Front Row promotes regional fashion designers and extraordinary young creative talent.  The main feature of the fashion show is to showcase innovative and sustainable fashion design with the use of vintage clothing, second-hand and recycled materials to create customised garments, set in a glamorous and professional environment.

This event has become so popular that a new venue was chosen this year; the iconic De La Warr Pavilion.

With such an impressive venue the fashion show had to match. The designers for the show pulled out all the stops and produced one of the most entertaining evenings of fashion I have been to.

Backstage the young designers from Sussex Coast College and students from Parkwood School 6^th Form, Hastings, excitedly waited to show off their innovative designs. Maika provides a fantastic opportunity for young people studying fashion to see their products from conception to catwalk and learn all aspects of the fashion industry.

A team of local hair and make-up artists worked tirelessly all day to create the most spectacular hair and make-up.

One of the highlights of the show as a designer was meeting other designers. There was fellow milliner Katherine Wallinger who produced the most exquisite white collection of hats made from two recycled wedding dresses.

Tara Deighton a local pattern cutter who runs South Coast Samples showed the most beautiful collection of Edwardian dresses to create her own version of the magic flute.

Leida Nassir-Pour who owns the old town shop Warp and Weft created her take on chess pieces, a collection using an array of garments from her shop. The styling for this collection was inspired.

Freya Von Strapp is Maika Crampton’s design brand and her paper extravaganza sat all day on dress makers dummies waiting for their big entrance. While Maika was dashing about directing and making sure the whole show ran smoothly, her team made sure her models were ready to go.

The show ended with the Charity Shop Challenge.  Designers have twenty pounds to create something new  purchased from charity shops. Peter Quinell’s jumper dress, cleverly constructed from lots of colourful knitwear, won this year.

Showing my own collection of millinery this year made me aware of just how exhausting the whole thing is.  No after-show party at The Roomz for me I went straight home to bed.

Being backstage meant I sadly missed the spectacle of the show but I have been told by many that this year’s show was the best show so far. I would personally like to thank Maika for the chance to show my work at such a brilliant event and although I’m a bit biased, Hastings and St Leonards is one hell of creative place to live.

Also in: Hastings People