GenQ

A buzz of anticipation filled the white walled studio room. I chatted to my friend as we glanced around at the paintings and unusual pieces of jewellery that were hanging on the walls. Slowly people filed in and filled the seats, peeping into the goody bags that were given out free. There was a quick welcoming speech. Then the beat of the music started and the first 5 models took to the runway and began to dance. I was at a fashion show for students on a college art foundation course. My friend Ness had invited me along and I'm glad I went. One after the other the outfits came gliding down the white runway.

First, oriental themed dresses, followed by some Indian inspired pieces and then several floaty, fantasy pieces based on tales such as Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. The whole show was a celebration of the work that the students had put in over the year and there were some stunning and innovative designs. My favorite was an striking dress made out of paper, with a large fan at the back. Not all of the pieces were to our liking, we reserved the right to be all snobby. That said though, it was clear that a lot of hard work had gone into all of the outfits and a lot of thought had been given to the ways in which they were presented to us. Some of the models came out carrying strange objects in baskets, others used Japanese fans to give a sudden flick of action and most did some kind of dance to get everyone in the mood. The show was opened and closed by 5 models who performed a dance piece clad in nothing but knickers, bras and a few beads and feathers. I didn't really know where to look but still, it got people's attention.

There does need to be more young input at the higher levels

What really stood out to me, however, was the quality of what people around my age had been able to produce. As the music blared out and the models did their stuff I realised that most of the garments wouldn't look out of place on the rails of a clothing boutique in the city. There was a lot of original thinking and vision involved in some of the designs and some were like pieces of artwork. Admittedly, most were a bit rough round the edges, though I think that was most likely due to time constraints. I have often dreamed of designing and making my own clothes, often spent ages doodling different outfits. I've never quite been able to come up with something truly original though, which tells me how much effort the students must have put in to their designs. Not only in the physical sewing and construction of the garment, but also in the thought process- finding the inspiration and deciding how best to bring this through in the finished piece.

If we take a quick look at the fashion industry we can see that the majority of the well known designers have been around for a while. It takes a long long time to reach the top, with many hopefuls never reaching it. This is testament to the great deal of skill and experience needed to run a fashion label, even "new" designers are usually in their 30s by the time they establish themselves on a big scale. What I saw at the fashion show tells me that the talent and skill is there at an early age, so there must be something stopping quick advancement through the industry. One factor I suppose is that competition is fierce, with the big names such as Gucci, Versace and Prada battling for space in the lofty heights and high street names such as H&M and Topman crowding the popular consumer levels.

As the BBC2 TV show "Mary Queen of Shops" has taught me, a designer or boutique really has to offer something original in order to prosper and that could take years to work out and nurture. There does need to be more young input at the higher levels though, to ensure that a fresh take and style will keep coming through. Perhaps more apprenticeships with tailors is one way for that to happen. Young people do have a great and individual sense of style, more than ever before perhaps. Every time I go into town now I see people my age looking striking and different, not afraid to try out their own individual looks and show off their artistic sides. They are not afraid tomix and match and the result is a very varied high street. I can't speak for London or any other city but Birmingham and around the Bull Ring is a riot of colour, with people picking more statement pieces, more bright patent shoes and belts, more colourful slogan t-shirts. It all goes to show that we do know what we are doing. High Street stores stock more and more unusual things.

When I started to shop at Topman I remember that the majority of what they stocked was pretty standard. Jeans and cords, hoodies and t-shirts. Now, however, there are all kinds of new and exciting things that really suit the individual. There has definitely been a rise in the number of people who aren't scared to try something different, especially now that we have more money on the whole and a much wider range to choose from, and the high street has taken notice. People can get creative and show off their artistic flare. So, what is the message here? Well, first of all I think that the fresh young talent thats out there should be picked up on quicker and recognised more. The powers that be should do more to encourage lads and lasses with an artistic flair to go for it, if thats what they want to do. Secondly, I think that more fashion shows for fashion students is a great idea. Competition is strong and assistance should be provided to promising students to help them to compete. National events like the Clothes Show would provide a perfect opportunity to endorse new designers. I think also that we should all continue to indulge in a little creativity from time to time. Wear something that we wouldn't normally or vary our looks a bit more. Keep heads turning. With a huge range of affordable clothes we don't need to be millionaires to turn heads on the high streets.