Fashion students from the Lower Sixth and Fourth Form, recently went on a research trip to London, exploring some of the capital’s most creative fashion and textile hotspots.

The day began with a visit to the iconic Dover Street Market near Piccadilly, where students searched for innovative shirt details and decorative techniques. The Lower Sixth students observed a strong trend towards classic evening dress shirt styles, as well as the use of raw fabric edges, a striking, unfinished look gaining popularity in contemporary design. Meanwhile, the Fourth Form students focused on embellishment techniques, discovering a variety of approaches including appliqué and weaving.

Leaving Dover Street Market, the group strolled through Soho, where Tom H, Fourth Form, introduced students to one of his favourite streetwear brands, derschutze, known for its bold aesthetic and youth appeal. The trip continued with visits to several fabric shops, where students handpicked shirt fabric samples for future design projects.

After refuelling with lunch at Borough Market, students made their way to The Arches to view the highly anticipated Versace exhibition. The exhibition was a feast for the senses, bursting with gold, vibrant colour, and rich textures. Among the standout exhibits were Elton John’s iconic Versace shirt collection and a handbag once owned by Princess Diana, both of which sparked fascination and discussion among the students.

The entire experience from fashion trendspotting to historical couture, has now been thoughtfully documented in students’ Fashion sketchbooks, serving as a valuable source of inspiration for their upcoming work.