Small steps to a big difference

by Kate Rintoul

Life is finally returning to normal after a mad rush to finalise The Fashion Society show at the Rag Factory.

It was our biggest event to date and though on many occasions in the last few weeks I’d wanted to walk away from the entire thing I’m so happy to have been part of it.

Fashioning the Decade was a show and raffle to promote talented designers from all six colleges of UAL and bring the different disciplines and styles together in a rare event.

Despite holding a reputation as a leading arts university, not all fashion students get to show their work in a show format, we also wanted to open the event up to those with an interest in fashion, jewellery and surface designers for example and provide opportunities for collaboration.

Though a show is not the only way to exhibit fashion and some designers create wonderful experiences incorporating video and performance, a show has a great power to bring people together and breeds great pride amongst designers and organisers alike.

As well as making young dreams true on a professional scale, we also wanted to be part of the greater good and all proceeds from the event went to Make-A-Wish-Foundation UK, a charity that grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses.

Aside from being part of this collective sense of goodwill, the biggest pleasure of the event was the unpredicted role the venue would have and its impact on me.

The Rag Factory was created four years ago, the dream project of Silys and Melanie who planned to do their bit for the creative lifeblood of London by providing dirt cheap space for shows, exhibitions, and just about anything people want, including method acting, much to my delight.

Having had a late start and a hellish trip to Tescos for alcohol in which I had to commandeer a trolley to wheel down Brick Lane (looking uber-butch in front of the lovely East End boys on their way to work) we arrived at the Rag Factory a little worse for wear at 12pm on Thursday.

With seven hours before guests arrived and four until rehearsals were due to start the place resembled little more than a work yard. Dowel, pipe and other materials were scattered around, at least two televisions and monitors sat as well as plenty of furniture.

Scary as it was Anjali and I forgot the glamorous allure of fashion and instead knuckled down to clear the space, we worked like troopers for hours.

While a bitch of a task – my nails are shattered, my back contorted and I’m only just over exhaustion, the experience was really rewarding and it was incredible to see the space become clear, beautiful and full of life.

As the crowds filed in and our impromptu bar started ringing with the sound of money making it was great to feel that the whole night had been down to us.

Even better is that we’d been so engrossed in manual labour we’d completely missed the rehearsals, allowing us to glean the full spectacle of the final show and appreciate the designers.

All of the designers worked their socks off to create mini collections, many producing pieces in addition to already demanding university projects.

Sam Alexander, really stood out, in less than two weeks he produced exquisitely considered and cut tailored dresses and skirts.

First year textile designer, Mai Tieu also created highly wearable and beautiful made knitted pieces, a fantastic feat considering many of her classmates are still making socks!

I’ve learnt a huge amount about planning and staging a large event, from pestering companies for drink sponsorship, to keeping charities happy to bartering the price of plastic cups at Brick Lane’s Bangla City supermarket.

Sure we could have been more organised and structured but the sense of accomplishment and togetherness on the night and after has been fantastic and I can’t wait to do it all again!

Review of the week

	The Good: Giles Peterson’s Brownswood Basement dedicated to vintage Drum & Bass – a fantastic special that everyone should listen to. D’n’B heads will get off on it and sceptics will be converted, quick only two days left. http://bit.ly/cdjU10
	The Bad: The Weather – After a brief moment of promise The English climate has turned on us, making this Spring’s gorgeous fashions unbearable, it’s May for God’s sake!
	The Ugly: BNP candidate Bob Bailey allegedly attacking three young Asian men on the eve of the election. A very frightening glimpse into the reality of a very frightening party. http://bit.ly/a3Zt3S