Central saint martins ba show 2012 with l'oreal professionnel

Now in its twelfth year, the partnership between L'Oréal Professionnel and Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design has once again shown its worth with a fabulous display of young talent and creativity at the annual BA Fashion Show.

Located in Central Saint Martins' new home - an imposing building near King's Cross originally built as a warehouse for storing grain - the spacious atrium provided a dramatic setting for 41 young designers to showcase their inspiring collections.

To complement the clothes, a range of beautiful hair styles were created by the L'Oréal Professionnel Portfolio Session Team. There were three main looks: sumptuous side-parted waves in the style of Lana Del Ray, elegant French pleats and slicked back, polished buns, all of which harmonized perfectly with the fashion on display.

Milliner Stephen Jones, style writer Colin McDowell and fashion editor of the International Herald Tribune Suzy Menkes were all in the audience to watch an hour-long display of dazzling outfits, which included models dressed as giant oriental vases, dramatic bell-shaped skirts and Pugs being carried down the catwalk.

The L'Oréal awards judging panel included Lulu Kennedy MBE, Livia Firth and Corrie Nielsen, with prizes presented by fashion designers Jenny Packham, Levi Palmer and Matthew Harding.

Erin Hawkes, who was first to display her work on the catwalk, won the best collection award. Her look involved oversized jackets, denim skater shorts and hooded tops with wide-brimmed headdresses.

"Hairstyles and hair colour say as much about you as the clothes you wear, therefore it is not only tremendously exciting, but absolutely vital for L'Oreal Professionnel to forge a relationship with one of the most important fashion schools in the world," said Vincent Mercier, Managing Director of L'Oréal Professionnel Products Division.

Willie Walters, Course Director of BA Fashion at Central Saint Martins agrees. "The free flow of ideas and creative energy is central to both industries," he said. "The collaboration is groundbreaking."

See here for more images from the show.