Backstage at the Astra Collective’s Fuchsia

Photography: Josh Bibby

Slightly late and soaked walking to Central Hall doesn’t sound like the perfect Saturday night – but, whilst I regretted not wearing a coat, I didn’t regret my journey. Any expectations I had of Astra Collective’s Fuchsia (and they were high, given the success of their April show) were immediately exceeded. As I walked in, I was amazed to see a space I usually associate with endless lectures had been transformed into a brilliantly lit up pink runway.

Walking through the backstage doors, I was hit by a thousand things at once – row upon row of clothes racks, tables piled high with makeup, models moving from station to station.

The fluorescent lights added to what was an electric atmosphere backstage – nerves and excitement bundled into one, I was infected by it. I squeezed my way through a mass of hair curlers and makeup brushes, exchanging many a ‘sorry!’ as I made my way toward the dressing rooms. There, I spoke with some of the lovely models, who were excited to tell me about who they were wearing, with a beam of pride when I complimented their looks. As the show drew nearer, however, last minute touch ups and safety pins were increasingly done with furrowed concentration and haste – so as the intensity racked up, I found myself retreating to the auditorium to watch rehearsals.

If the atmosphere backstage was electric, the show itself was nothing short of spectacular. Just short of 30 student and professional designers from all over the country (including Hard Magazine’s very own Co-Editor) had lent their skills to what would be an unforgettable experience.

Accompanying DJ orch111d’s mixes was a constant stream of applause and cheers, but judging from noise levels, the crowd favourites were Rosayylia, Minara and Cathy Neale’s winged creations. If you ask me, the white swan-inspired reveal will go down as legend in the University’s fashion community history. Truly.

Speaking with some of the people backstage, I noted how people just as inclined to tell me 'Why' they were wearing, and not just 'Who'. Many of the designers found some way to incorporate pink and ribbons into their designs in unique ways. As I write this, Astra Collective have raised around £6000 for the Pink Ribbon Foundation, supporting breast cancer patients and truly showing the value of beauty with a cause.