On Skin Beyond

This March Avenue Gallery is hosting ‘On Skin Beyond’, an exhibition showcasing the work of Students from The University of Northampton, the Fashion department. The exhibition is free to view by all members of the public from Monday 7^th March 2011 too Friday 18^th March 2011 open from 9am – 4pm.

‘On Skin Beyond’ presents research and samples from Surface Design, Fashion Marketing, Fashion, Footwear, Accessories and Printed Textiles for Fashion students, mainly focusing on leather. Each year the university receives £25,000 in sponsorship for leather across all of the fashion courses. Leather is a heritage in Northampton and therefore the university has good links.

The mannequins located in the centre of the gallery, show off the work of alumni students. The outfits are all different from each other, from the intricate detail too the immaculate stitching. The brightly coloured dress is similar to the design of dresses from the 1940’s bringing in style from the past. The first male mannequin on the left had been photographed by Rankin, a famous photographer and has previously been displayed at Fashion Graduate Week as part of the student’s advertisement. Two of the outfits have also been shortlisted into the top 10 students across the whole country in Graduate Fashion Week last year and are well known throughout the industry.

A graduate from The University of Northampton, Philipa Tatt, secured a footwear work placement in China straight after graduation. Her work that has been highlighted throughout the exhibition is the matching tassel shoe and bag set. The deep purple colour of the suede creates texture and a sense of classiness to the set, for the sophisticated woman. 

Another award winning design is of this innovative wooden shoe, which took over a week to make. After graduation she worked as a shoemaker in River Island, London, and now works in Goldline, Northampton, where it all began for her.

Professor Basil Cadency from the Royal College of Arts will be leading a 2day workshop on 10^th and 11^th March. The workshop is sheepskin based, working on surface design and creating new imaginative work. Alongside Professor Basil, worship from company of Couriers are coming up from London on 15^th March touring the gallery to see what they are funding.

The atmosphere of ‘On Skin Beyond’ could have been a little more welcoming, the room was airy and bright but not much else was going on. The work showcased was of a high quality, which I would recommend others to view. The students were obviously passionate about their work, making the best of the materials they had.

New Year - Get Fit!

Being a student and trying to keep fit is not easy. Chucking a pizza in the oven or calling the local kebab shop can sometimes seem the easiest option when you have been in lectures all day and just cant be bothered to cook! It may be the easiest but it certainly is not the healthiest, and three years of living away from home and staying a university with a bad diet will take its toll.

I have always tried to eat healthily, being conscious of what I cook, I didn't want to use uni as the excuse as to why I may put on weight. My first year living in halls it was all about going out with friends, getting drunk, definitely not exercising.

Now in my second year and more aware of how important exercise is to keep fit, I have joined the gym. I thought new year, new me! Its all well eating healthy but without working out it can seem a bit pointless. For only £20 a month I couldn't say no; student off-peak membership works perfectly for me because it means a cheaper fee and allows me access to the gym at quieter times.

This is by far one of best new year resolutions I have thought of, and a resolution that I will stick to! Music blasting in my ear, an energetic atmosphere really gets me in the mood for a good work out, and I feel great afterwards, the sluggish feeling I had last year is no longer there.