Recently, I attended several fashion events in the Klang Valley that showcased the works of fashion and design students.

One of those shows was by the University of Nottingham students, which featured unique and imaginative designs for women in colours like nude, black and brown.

The models for student designer Bhaggawent Kaur’s collection at the event wore a black cloth wrapped around each of their heads, with slits at the eyes.

Bhaggawent said the purpose of the unusual headgear was to add a more ”tribal” and dramatic feel to her designs.

It seems like many young designers today are not afraid to take risks when it comes to getting their designs noticed.

Dark and moody were again the themes of a show I attended last Saturday at the Petaling Jaya College of Art and Design’s (PJCAD) graduation fashion show, which featured the works of 16 of their students. Called ”Return of Anthropomorphism”, the students came up with ready-to-wear attires, evening gowns and avant-garde designs for women inspired by the movie Edward Scissorhands.

One of the 'ready-to-wear' designs by Hyacinthe Kaur.

Anthropomorphism is a form of personification that gives human characteristics to non-humans, primarily the gods or animals.

To add to the feel of the show, the students used dark and haunting music by Evanescence as an accompaniment and played clips from the movie in the backdrop as the models strutted on the runway.

Models wore gothic-inspired makeup, their hair ”back-combed” and sprayed until it piled sky-high on their heads in frizzy waves, their faces fixed in mannequin-like stares.

Matilda Low (right) and the dress that won her the 'Best Design' award at PJCAD's Graduation Fashion Show last Saturday.

A total of 44 elegant, feminine and a tad strange designs were showcased at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, in a captivating 30-minute show.

Thanks to daring fashion designers like the late Alexander McQueen, who took fashion to another level with crazy ideas, the young designers went all out with their creations.

Pretty dresses and elegant gowns fit for the red carpet are always fun to see, but making eye-grabbing garments that aren’t hideous despite being goth-inspired really is a feat.

”I’ve always been inspired by the gothic cathedral architecture, especially the rose windows of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris,” explained student Matilda Low, who went home with a Best Design award at the show.

”For my evening gown and avant-garde designs, I pictured Edward Scissorhands being in love with someone who doesn’t look like him, someone gentle as a rose.”

The 20-year-old student hand-stitched every single piece of the long, brown, flowing gown which were attached with individually sewn-on flower design patches. It took three months to complete the gown.

Hyacinthe Kaur, who showcased four ready-to-wear designs, used the theme ”man versus machine” as a guide to designing her apparel.

”Every gown has a machine element like screws, bolts and wires,” said Hyacinthe, 20. ”Buildings and structures inspire me, I love coming up with creations that are a unique form of art.”

Another Edward-inspired design

To come up with designs, Hyacinthe imagined she was making them for Edward’s girlfriend.

One outfit had a weaved black bodice, which Hyacinthe said would be thick enough to keep Edward from injuring his woman when he hugged her.

”Everyone needs a warm embrace now and again, so this outfit would make it possible for him to have that, without hurting the other person,” she said, grinning.

Taking risks is a big part of being noticed as a designer, and I’m glad these students are looking to innovative designers like McQueen for inspiration.

Dark, dramatic designs may be a little over-the-top for a regular evening out, but in time, it will find a way to the shelves of your favourite clothings stores.