Love From Holly by Cilla

Some of Hulls local young talent showed what they were made of last Monday (4th August) in a bright and vibrant summertime bonanza at the Welly club, Beverley Road. The late-night fashion show was organised by young designer Holly Cryan, who also featured an original collection made under her own label, 'love from holly'. Also supporting the event were designer Emma Lou and with 2 of his current collections in the show, Phil from Rockerfellas Boutique in the Hepworth Arcade in Hull. The last fashion show I'd been to was at the NEC in Birmingham, where I watched the leggy, sullen models strut up and down the catwalk. Serious stuff. Not so at the Welly!

I managed, with the help of my good friend Sally (it is who you know!) to get in before the doors officially opened and was hoping to get a glimpse behind the scenes at what it was really like in the changing room! Of course, I did ask first and as nobody seemed to mind me being there, I got out the camera and took some photos. I asked if they were nervous - 'Oh, no, not really' came the resounding reply. And it was probably true - lots of chattering and laughing. To think I'd expected hairspray and tempers!

I met Jonny (Stylist from Lifestyle) who was concentrating hard on a head of hair which needed to be exactly right. He said hello and just got on with it! I think there was a queue of girls waiting for his complete attention.
Model Mark seemed to be a really good guy, reassuring and offering help to both the girls and Jonny the Stylist! 'How do you think she looks?' he asked. Then I realised he was asking ME! 'She looks beautiful….', Well, she did! continued below..

Love From Holly continued by Cilla

It was getting pretty busy and not wishing to outstay my welcome I headed towards the bar (it hadn't been open earlier). As I left, I found Sally. She introduced me to Holly - who sighed a sigh of half anticipation, half relief and said 'one hour and six minutes to go!'. I got the impression she was more excited than anything else. Holly is petite, animated and positively glowing (I noticed that she didn't appear to need a scrap of makeup - what would I give for that!). She wore a blue polka dot, backless tie top made by her sister Siobhan for 'Love from Holly' with a full 50's style black skirt and red ballet shoes. She looked gorgeous! Holly said 'I organised the show but asked Phil (Rockerfellas) to collaborate with me after worrying I wouldn't be able to take it all on alone! And it did turn out to be a lot of hard work. I'm glad I did it anyway and intend to do it again. At least now that I know what to expect it'll be easier next time! I have dedicated the show to the memory of a friend Arthur Hewlings who sadly, aged only 23, died in July. It meant a lot to me to dedicate this to him as he was a beautiful person and amongst a lot of ridicule, cynicism and scepticism he always had faith in me as a fashion designer'.

By now the doors had opened and so had the bar. I was surprised at just how many people were there. The show got underway at around 11pm and it really was a treat. Cheeky and in-yer-face- sexy. Short, frayed denim; bare backs; bold, fun prints in cool, crispy fabrics. The atmosphere was really friendly and upbeat. The models were smiling and actually enjoying themselves! The audience whistled and loved it!

Lizzie - (Cropped red tracksuit bottoms with blue polka dot cowl neck dress)

Kara - (Vogue skirt, ‘Because I’m Worthless T-shirt)

Kathryn (Pants, logo T-shirt)

Laura (Spice outfit)

Holly describes her collection as 'a mix of couture sculptural fashion, which is not really intended to be worn because its generally very delicate and is not durable, and some ready to wear items, which are usually pretty flamboyant! At the end of the day I don't design clothes I wouldn't want to wear myself. I like to use very crisp cottons and tend to starch stuff a lot, I like things to stick out! I like over-exaggerated features, I like things to be unusual and very individual. It's terrible when you go out and someone is wearing the same outfit as you!

		Delicately made couture sculpture - Posh Spice Outfit
Phil from Rockerfellas showed 2 collections. The first was 60's and 70's retro followed by his Streetwear collection which he describes as 'Customised, Vintage Clothing'. It was all over too soon - how I wish the models had lingered longer on the catwalk.

After the show, Holly commented 'I was very pleased with myself as I had absolutely no idea how things would turn out - but it was all over so quickly! I wanted to do it again straight away! At the end I felt kind of bemused, strange that after such a lot of work it was over! I was unsure as to how it had been seen through peoples eyes and what they had thought about it. It was a quite different venture in hull, where there's a large clubbing scene. This was the second fashion show I'd been to here, and I'd been in both of them! But I was pleased with the turn out, I've had lots of positive responses and most of all I was pleased with myself which to me was what mattered. It was a very big deal for me to achieve such a thing'.

Phil Cooper (DJ Cap'n Backslap) was hosting the decks, with special guest Steve (DJ Soultrader) to provide an 'eclectic' mix of tunes. Even Holly spun some tunes under the name of DJ Stuntgirl! DJ Soultrader can be seen mixing live at Pozition night club, George Street on Thursdays (Satisfaction). DJ Cap'n Backslap would recommend a visit to The Blue Lamp on the last Monday in every month for their 'Singles Night'. Take a stack of old 45s and get your own slot to play them!

I promised to mention some of the people I met at the show - and in return I hope they'll send me their own contribution to thisisull.com! So come on you lot - I'm waiting ……. Arran, Franki, Sophie and Kara (model for 'Love From Holly' label)

All proceeds from the event were donated to the charity Warchild.

Were you at this show? Would you like to contribute your view? Email me: Cilla@thisisull.com Are you involved in an event or activity you'd like www.thisisUll.com to visit and review on the web? Contact events@thisisull.com Peter Frost, Rak Boury and Jay Vincent

Exclusive Featured Serial on www.thisisUll.com Articles Part Three - Diaries From Detox

	A relatively good day, although emotions still very up and down. Doctors round was first. He appeared more concerned about the score between England and the West Indies than poor old Kevin who was suffering from fairly severe withdrawal symptoms - but let's get our priorities right! Read more...

Articles - HULL #1 - Hull gets flashed!
	By Rich Mills Instructions had gone out and it was all in the lap of the god's. The Hull Flash Crowd came out from behind their computer screens and faced the world and each other for the first time. The location was Victoria Square, the time 1:00pm, the act was the Hokey-Cokey. Read more...

Music Reviews - Adelphi NightClub
	It had been a long day covering Grass Roots Sunday festival in Pearson Park, and after a short kip I was to skip down to the Adelphi Nightclub where I had a couple of beers and took some photos and details of the acts and performers for www.thisisUll.com Read more...

People - Wanted Dead or Alive
	I've known Diane for most of my life. For most of that time she's been battling to get out of the rat race. She's a straightforward, straight-talking woman. She's bright, funny and has always - ALWAYS been on and around motor cycles. Read more...

News - Good things come in small packages!
	The children of Marfleet Primary School in Hull have joined forces with Barrow Island Primary School and Lowick School, Abbotsmead in Barrow, Lancashire to produce a fantastic exhibition of art that consists of more than 1500 pieces. Each piece of work has been made to fit into a matchbox and was inspired Read more...

Music Reviews - Superscape
	Hull based band Superscape have been around for more years than the individual members care to remember. With a slightly altered line-up, some comings and goings, and short respite, the band now seem raring to go. Read more...

News - Local LETS
	I am Jane and am setting up a LETS scheme for Ella Street and the surrounding area. LETS stands for ‘Local Exchange and Trading System’. It’s basically like going back to the old system of trade and barter rather than using money as a currency. Read more...