From canvas to catwalk: Oaklands students impress at end of year show

More than 400 guests attended Oaklands College’s End of Year Art and Fashion Show, an annual event celebrating the outstanding work of students across the college’s Art, Fashion and Design courses.

The annual showcase marked the culmination of months of dedication and hard work, with students presenting an impressive and diverse body of work across multiple creative disciplines.

This year’s show, themed Transformation, featured animations, paintings, magazines and live fashion designs, with students exploring powerful themes including sustainability, ethical fashion and social impact. Their work demonstrated not only artistic excellence but also thoughtful engagement with some of today’s most pressing global challenges.

The event also provided valuable industry experience, with students taking on professional roles behind the scenes in areas such as production, styling and event delivery. Oaklands College’s Hair and Beauty students played a key role in preparing models for the catwalk, helping deliver a polished and professional show.

Alongside the fashion show, guests were invited to explore an art exhibition showcasing a wide range of students’ work.

Oaklands College also hosted a special matinee performance for local schools, including Katherine Warington School and Adeyfield School. The performance gave prospective students an inspiring insight into creative education at college level, with one school expressing interest in recreating a similar fashion show experience in its own setting.

Reflecting on the event, Sharon Maxwell Magnus, head of outreach at the University of Hertfordshire School of Creative Arts, said: “I was wowed by the talent, creativity and dedication of the students. Britain is a creative powerhouse and they are continuing that tradition.”

Principal and CEO of Oaklands College Andrew Slade added: “Our End of Year Art and Fashion Show is always a highlight of the academic year, and this year’s Transformation showcase was truly exceptional. The creativity, skill and professionalism demonstrated by our students was inspiring to witness.

“Events like this showcase not only the remarkable talent within Oaklands College but also the industry-relevant skills our students develop through hands-on learning. I am incredibly proud of all they have achieved.”