The Royal College of Art's Fashion department held its annual Gala and catwalk. After a lavish meal, guests who included Philip Treacy, a graduate of the RCA, accompanied by model Jade Parfitt, fashion journalists Hilary Alexander and Suzy Menkes, and designers Jens Laugsen and Kim Jones were treated to a breathtaking catwalk display bursting with vision and virtuosity. The Gala, famous for providing an opportunity for the fashion industry to spot the next generation of designers to go on to work for the top fashion houses, also attracted celebrities including Lord and Lady Snowdon, Bryan Ferry, Hamish Bowles, Giles Deacon, Colin McDowell, and 80's icon, Suggs McPherson from Madness.

Catwalk photos by Dominic Sweeny (RCA)

The Royal College of Art is home to one of the world’s most prestigious fashion departments. With an astoundingly high employment record (95%), it’s obvious that it is more than just the prestige that attracts the cream of young graduate designers from all over the world to the Kensington premises. In the last few years alone, students have gone on to work for Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Chloe, Gucci, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, Stella McCartney, Ungaro, Nicole Fahri, Joseph, Versace, Burberry, Marni and Max Mara). Some students have become famous in their own right – Philip Treacy, Julien Macdonald, Boudicca, Neil Barrett, Georgina Goodman, Orla Keily, Hamish Morrow, and Christopher Bailey. This year’s graduating students ooze success, whether it is working with the world’s most famous designers and design companies, or as designers in their own right. In particular, expect to hear the names of Marcus Wilmont (menswear) Stuart McMillan (womenswear), Yasmin Rizvi (millinery) Barbara Paleka (women's footwear) and the outrageous Rui Leonardes (men's footwear).

Party photos by Jab Promotions

The Royal College of Art
Like Nowhere Else
26 May – July 3
Venues and opening times at www.rca.ac.uk