RUNWAY SHOW

Recently, the ever-talented ‘MIGHTY’ bunch graced us with just one of their many opportunity-providing programmes; the Eco-Couture Fashion Show.
Let’s be honest, when you think of a high-end, avant-garde fashion show with flashing lights & all that jazz, recyclables & charity clothes don’t tend to come to mind. But trust me, if you witnessed what the Luton’s young people blessed the catwalk with, you’d always use charity & couture in the same sentence.
So, you’re probably thinking, ‘Charity couture…like I haven’t seen that one attempted before’… right? Well, I admit, I too, didn’t know what to expect from the environmentally-friendly collection – mainly because usually when designers claim to have a recycled collection they’ve actually just ripped off a pocket or zip from charity garments or have only used the ‘earthy’ colour scheme (multiple shades of green & blue) to give it an ‘at-one-with-nature’ feel. However, I kid you not, the local young people whom attended the programme & many other students associated with ‘MIGHTY’, ripped up all of those assumptions on the runway.


Thanks to fresh & fierce brand, SweetMe all models (both girls and boys!) were piled with the most original, quirky jewellery out there. The eclectic 80’s-feel pieces had everything from a My Little Pony necklace to a ‘battery bracelet’ – yes, you read correctly, a pony necklace & a battery bracelet. Far from the sea-shell necklaces & wooden bangles that you expected, right?
As the sassy students strutted & did their ‘thang’ on the catwalk in time to the blasting beats through the speakers, every audience member was moved to a profound, ‘…wow’. With the carefully chosen Keech Charity garments; steadily-applied statement make up and superstars-would-be-jealous hairstyles, the gruelling January-onwards time & efforts invested by the young designers was out there for all to see on the night…& my goodness it was a glorious sight.
Throughout the event there was the buzz of an unmistakeably positive & electric atmosphere. As I left the London-fashion-week-ready collections & all-round beautiful young people from the event, I also left with inspiration. Not just the inspiration to raid the nearest Oxfam & fix myself a prom dress, but the general
inspiration to embrace everything that life has to offer – turning all our ‘trash’ into treasures.
By Lauren Holgate (Photography by Trevor Griffiths-Idelick Media)

Why Does It Have To Be Nike?

Upon asking this question I myself am even smiling….as when I was younger I remember the waiting for the latest pair of Kickers or that must have outfit. I never always got them and for many nowadays that’s how it is too. It is always important to check the History of things because it is the only way for you to know the meaning of it and the future.

The company was founded on January 25, 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Bill Bowerman and Philip Knight, and officially became Nike, Inc. in 1978. The company takes its name from Nike, the Greek goddess of victory (Greek Νίκη pronounced [níːkɛː]), (so some of us who were wearing Nicks were actually still wearing the brand name! lol!). It is also based on Egyptian usage of "strength" and "victory".

However, why does it have to be NIKE? STONE ISLAND? VERSACE? ARMANI? or any other name brand attire?

Is it because young people love the quality and the craftsmanship, sheer time and effort that has gone into the creating, or can they appreciate the intricacy and the feel it has upon their skin or should we keep it real…..is it that so many of their ‘role models’ i.e. Rappers, singers, football players are wearing them. This is Nike's biggest advertising strategy because they know society is influenced by these people, but what have they really done to be titled "role models". Is it because if you don’t have them in certain areas you’re considered “a chief”, “a wasteman”, “late” basically words used to say you’re rubbish due to the fact you don’t look as other young people feel you need to look.

Who actually made these rules? And who says you have to wear something to have a particular status? I won’t play dumb as I too fell into this whole ‘looking the part” thing when I was younger and the sad thing is that so many young people buy into this. Last thing I heard when God created us we were all naked. Clothes are now a necessity to keep us warm, and believe it or not contrary to fashion to give us some dignity and privacy.

But really, why does it have to be NIKE? Or any other name brand. Is society so shallow now that young people with all their wit, charisma and destiny are actually measured by what they wear...Yes its been like this since I was a teen, however with all the gang wars, knife crime over petty things and lack of respect of individuals, where they come from and what their status is. Shouldn’t we be looking into this deeper and showing each other that we are far too special to be measured by fabric that wastes away and that in time fashion expires, whereby we will always remain special!