Students in stylish show

Students from the University of Wales College, Newport, have unveiled their work at their annual graduation fashion show.

The Degree Show 2003 will be held at the Caerleon Campus until Friday, June 6.

First, second and third year students have been busy preparing for the event since last October.

The show is a fantastic opportunity for under-graduates to put their talents to the test and get spotted by potential employers.

Fashion Design pupils - aged 21 and upwards - designed and made the outfits themselves, with help from specialist technicians.

For the 15 third-year students the event marks the end of their degree.

They have each created ten outfits, which will be modelled by fellow students, friends and family.

Senior lecturer and programme leader Sharon Rees said the show was the highlight of the year.

She told the Argus: "It's fab. The atmosphere is really great. They've all been working so hard towards this since last October."

Creations range from street wear to lingerie and dressy to the more outrageous designs. Sharon said: "It's a chance for the students to really see what they can do. They can get a proper idea of what looks good on the catwalk, how the clothes look and how exciting it is to see your own creations on film and camera."

The show has a number of sponsors and the students were all given the opportunity to discuss their ideas with the professionals.

Some have already landed jobs.

Sharon said: "One student has been working for a lingerie company and she's already been to Paris with them to work.

"It was a really amazing experience."

For those who do not yet have jobs the show will be a chance for them to shine.

Sharon said the group look up to top-ranking designers like Julien MacDonald and Jeff Banks and hope to hit the big-time as they did.

The first and second-year students also put on their own collections.

They were given themes and had to make their outfits out of denim.

PICTURE: A colourful number dreamed up by Michell Warrick