Last month, our A Level Art and A Level Fashion students took a trip to London to enrich themselves in famous exhibitions, with Fashion students visiting Arches London Bridge exhibition space to see the Gianni Versace Retrospective exhibition, and the Art students visiting the Tate Modern Museum.  

During the visit, the Fashion students browsed the Versace exhibition which blended history, culture, and iconic designs, showcasing over 450 rare and original vintage pieces, many never-before displayed in the UK. Featuring elegant ensembles worn by Princess Diana and bold statements modelled by Kate Moss, to stage outfits styled for Elton John, this exhibition combines fashion with pop culture.  

Gianni Versace redefined fashion, creating bold designs that celebrated culture, individuality, and personal expression, challenging norms and building relationships between people and their clothes. This exhibition allowed our students to engage with his designs and immerse themselves in his choices, inspiring them to think creatively and create fashion with meaning and purpose.  

Not only this, the Art students also browsed the Tate Modern where they got the chance to explore modern and contemporary art from across the world, from paintings and photography, to sculptures and large-scale installations. This was a great opportunity for students to explore displays from world-renowned artists like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, and experience a wide variety of styles, expressions, and interpretations of art. This inspired our students to express their creativity in a range of ways, trialling mediums and different expressions to further their skills and development.

This enriching trip was an excellent opportunity for our students to explore new techniques and approaches to art and fashion, broadening their interpretations and creativity to design not just attractive designs, but also creations with depth, meaning, and symbolism.   

Nicola Stent, Lecturer in Textiles at Weston College, said, “I was so impressed with the attitudes of the students for embracing and making the most out of each piece of work on display. They took the time to read the background for each exhibit in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the meaning and decisions behind the designer’s work.  Students were excited and inspired after experiencing the wide range of designs and I’m excited to see how this trip will reflect in their upcoming work!”  

A huge well done to the students for engaging and interacting with the exhibitions so professionally.  

This curriculum trip forms part of the Sixth Form Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.  

Progress to the next level in Art and Design! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. Click here! 

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