Art and design students have pushed the boundaries of creativity and sustainability through an exciting live brief titled The Surrealist Dinner Party Project, delivered in collaboration with a local RSPCA charity shop.
Students from the Level 3/4 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design and the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice took part in the project, which challenged them to promote sustainable fashion through recycling and upcycling. The brief encouraged students to rethink waste and transform second-hand items into original fashion pieces.
Following extensive research into surrealism, including the famously eccentric dinner parties hosted by artist Salvador Dalí students developed bold and imaginative concepts. Inspired by this iconic movement, they designed and created a striking range of flamboyant, comic and gothic garments, alongside masks and headpieces, using donated clothing and unexpected materials such as toys, lampshades and other pre-loved items.
The project culminated in a professionally shot editorial photoshoot, giving students hands-on experience of the fashion industry. Wearing their own designs, students worked with professional styling, hair and make-up, props and lighting to produce a high-quality editorial outcome. The project provided a valuable opportunity to build skills across multiple creative disciplines, and the level of commitment and quality of work exceeded expectations.
Judging will take place on Wednesday 4 February, with first, second and third place designs showcased in the RSPCA charity shop window in Tooting. The editorial photographs will also be used across the RSPCA’s website and social media channels to promote the project.
Students will have further opportunities to create inspirational content and videos demonstrating how to upcycle clothing, extending the impact of the project beyond the classroom and into the wider community.
