Lydia Bolton

Lydia Bolton’s 2016 Kingston graduate collection, The Girl Who Wore Tracksuits to Prom, delivered an unforgettable subversion of streetwear and eveningwear.

Fusing the effortless comfort of a classic tracksuit with the theatrical glamour of high-school formalwear, Bolton introduced her signature "ultra-female tomboy."

Candy-hued pastels—powder blue, blush pink, and lilac—were crafted in plush satins and velours, adorned with dramatic tiered ruffles, ruched sleeves, and oversized bows. By exchanging rigid gowns for fluid, voluminous loungewear, Bolton celebrated uninhibited movement without sacrificing catwalk drama. It was a joyful, clever debut that foreshadowed the rise of hyper-feminine streetwear.

Caoimhe Savage

Caoimhe Savage’s award-winning 2016 Kingston University menswear collection reimagined military dress with bold, playful experimentation. Inspired by the Imperial War Museum, Savage blended World War II Japanese, German, and British uniforms to strip military attire of its threat, transforming utility into vibrant streetwear.

The range mastered dramatic layering and exaggerated proportions. Oversized mustard and navy waxed-cotton outerwear, long gingham shirting, gilets, and utility belts were paired with striking giant hats that obscured models' faces. Savage cleverly turned functional uniform elements into expressive, joyful silhouettes—a standout achievement that earned her the prestigious Menswear Award during GFW’s 25th anniversary.

James Geraghty

James Geraghty’s 2016 Kingston University graduate collection brought a witty, subverted take on fan culture and terrace tailoring to Graduate Fashion Week.

Exploring branding through the lens of football obsession, Geraghty cleverly reworked the devotion of match-day supporters into high-concept menswear.

Classic Italian wool suiting and English shirting were reimagined alongside custom-knitted acrylic football scarves featuring playful "Gezza United" rebrandings. The standout hero piece—a top constructed entirely from interlinked football scarves—instantly captured editorial attention. Blending Moschino-esque irony with technical tailoring, Geraghty elevated terrace subculture into vibrant, lighthearted catwalk menswear, capturing the era's emerging obsession with luxury sportswear.

Thomas Skinner

Thomas Skinner’s 2016 Kingston University graduate collection delivered an assertive, subverted take on British menswear traditions at Graduate Fashion Week.

Grounded in classic menswear construction, Skinner’s lineup reinterpreted heritage workwear and military tailoring through a contemporary, relaxed lens.

He played with exaggerated proportions and utility-focused detailing—reconstructing structured outerwear, heavy wools, and functional hardware into boxy, oversized silhouettes. Balancing utility with refined finishings, Skinner offered a modern vision of British menswear that sat comfortably between rugged subcultural dressing and elevated runway design. It was a grounded, technically sharp contribution to Kingston’s standout 2016 showcase.

Henry Stanford

Henry Stanford’s 2016 graduate work stood out for its highly experimental, process-driven approach to fashion and menswear construction. Rejecting traditional pattern-cutting in favor of kinetic form-finding, Stanford explored how garments could be sculpted directly around the human body using custom machinery, gravity, and fluid material expansion.

The resulting collection merged industrial performance art with wearable structure, delivering visceral, organic silhouettes that challenged conventional tailored forms. Stanford’s innovative focus on the relationship between body, motion, and automated creation demonstrated an inventive design intellect, establishing him as a provocative voice at the intersection of fashion, technology, and sculpture.

Yasmin Van-Smith 

Yasmin Van-Smith’s 2016 Kingston University graduate collection stood out at Graduate Fashion Week for its bold exploration of modest wear, contemporary tailoring, and cultural identity. Reinterpreting traditional Islamic garments and veil silhouettes through a modern, conceptual lens, Van-Smith skillfully balanced fluid draping with structured architectural lines.

The collection demonstrated a mature interplay of form and shadow, using stark contrast and heavy fabric weights to elevate modest fashion into a compelling high-fashion statement. Van-Smith’s thoughtful construction and provocative narrative showed an impressive technical hand, marking her as a standout creative voice navigating tradition and modern design.

Christy Newman

Christy Newman’s 2016 Kingston University graduate collection brought a compelling focus on texture, subtle volume, and refined craft to the Graduate Fashion Week runway.

Focusing on intricate textile development and tactile layering, Newman balanced soft, organic drape with carefully structured silhouettes.

Her lineup showcased a mastery of surface manipulation—incorporating delicate fabric treatments, artful gathers, and tonal layering that felt both contemporary and deeply considered. Moving away from heavy-handed concepts, Newman prioritized pure craft and material tactile quality, offering fluid yet sculpted pieces designed to react beautifully in motion. It stood out as a sophisticated, quiet masterclass in textile manipulation within Kingston’s dynamic 2016 showcase

Leila Cattell

Leila Cattell’s 2016 Kingston University graduate collection brought a sleek, modern exploration of silhouette and textile to Graduate Fashion Week.

Focusing on fluid layering and contemporary tailoring, Cattell’s lineup stood out for its effortless balance of structure and softness.

Her work featured clean-lined garments accentuated by subtle volume, thoughtful fabric combinations, and a refined, harmonious colour palette. Moving seamlessly between minimalist tailoring and relaxed, tactile separates, Cattell demonstrated a sophisticated grasp of garment construction designed for modern elegance. It was an assured, polished contribution that underlined Kingston’s reputation for producing highly wearable, runway-ready talent in 2016.