St Anne’s a stunning setting to showcase design talent

Monday June 1st 2015

On the catwalk in St Anne’s Cathedral.

St Anne’s Cathedral provided a stunning backdrop for the Ulster University Graduate Fashion Show on Friday May 29.

Striking models took to a catwalk erected in the aisle to showcase the fabulous talents of the young designers.

Belfast Cathedral has a long and close relationship with its neighbour the University of Ulster – the University’s textile artists created the beautiful Titanic Pall – and welcoming the audience to the catwalk show, Dean’s Vicar the Rev Canon Denise Acheson said St Anne’s was delighted to be hosting the event.

Colour and glamour at the Ulster University Graduate Fashion Show in St Anne’s Cathedral.

The Cathedral pulsated with music, which, while very different to the choral and organ music for which St Anne’s is renowned, captured the spirit of vitality of the collections put together by the university’s graduate designers.

This was a very professional production, from the grace of the flawless models from the Style Academy agency to the compering, music and the lighting.

The large audience included many proud family members and friends of the designers, fashion critiques and photographers, with the BBC also filming for The Arts Show.

These debut collections were inspired by a diverse range of themes from post-war America and religion to architecture and national dress.

The Cathedral Nave was a stunning setting for the fashion show.

Some of the outfits, especially worn by the male models, are unlikely to be spotted again within the Cathedral walls (indeed anywhere on the streets of Belfast!) but it was a fashion show after all, and all the young designers must be commended for their talent and vision.

And while every designer and every model received deserved applause, none was louder than for the tiny tots who took to the catwalk modelling designs by one student who specialises in children’s wear. It would have brought a tear to the eye…

At the end a smiling Canon Denise was debating which of the fashions she could see herself in – on her days off of course!