Project Runway: Level 3 students pull off sensational end-of-year fashion show

Level 3 Hospitality with Events and Theatrical Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-up students put on a night to remember this month in an end-of-year creative showcase with a difference.

Previously having taken place externally, the annual event took place on home turf this year with UCB’s McIntyre House foyer providing a suitably glamorous backdrop for what would prove to be a very classy evening. In fact, with the College’s Hospitality and Events students providing everything from the invitations to the entertainment, this was a UCB event through and through, and all the better for it.

The show itself was themed “A night at the Oscars” with around 80 models providing looks based on briefs of glamour, fantasy and high fashion. Theatrical Make-up students pulled out all the stops with creations ranging from the classically beautiful to the truly avant-garde. Despite the work’s variety, though, one thing was clear - students had exceeded all expectations this year to put on the best show yet. 

“The bar has been raised,” said Elise Phillips, UCB’s Assistant Dean for Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy and Theatrical Make-up. “We’re in a stunning venue that has been used for fashion events by external companies in the past, and we’ve got drinks and canapés for the very first time. It’s a real celebration of what all of our students here today have worked so hard towards all year.”

On top of months of behind-the-scenes organisation, the standard presented by UCB’s Hospitality with Events students on the night amazed staff and audience members alike. Jacqueline Boyd, Hospitality lecturer, praised her students for “really having an awareness of their environment and rising to the challenge of creating a unique experience for guests and performers.” 

Not only were smartly dressed waiters and waitresses providing seamless, gold-standard service to guests throughout, the drinks they were serving had also been specially designed for that evening and the catering organised in collaboration between students and UCB’s catering staff. Student hosts provided excellent commentary through each catwalk show while professional jazz musicians and lively dance performances kept everyone well entertained. The aim, according to tutors, was to provide students with real-life industry experience of working in events as well as an academic project enhancing skills like marketing and design.

Theatrical Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-up students were also plunged for the evening into life in the theatre business, with a quick turnaround of models and challenging looks inspired by everything from mythological creatures to iconic supermodels. 

All in all, UCB students and staff came together last night to produce an event that was truly worthy of the red carpet. Bravo!

Find out more about UCB’s Theatrical Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-up or Hospitality with Events qualifications.