It’s 9pm at the grand Greyfriars Kirk, just a ten-minute walk from the library. Tonight, we are worlds away—transported into a realm of ethereal beings. I am discreetly perched behind the organ, watching as students mill about the church, sipping prosecco, eyeing up front-row seats, and spotting local celebrities.
This year’s University of Edinburgh Fashion Society Charity Show, themed “Ethereal Beings,” focuses on student-led designs inspired by mythology, folklore, and origins. The lights dim, reconstructed organ music blasts from the DJ’s blasphemously placed deck on the altar, before transitioning into Tory Lanez. The models strut onto the runway—the show has begun.
The eclectic designers put on a spectacular display. Orin Annand’s sculptural designs open the show, setting the bar high for the night. The hooded looks command the runway, reminiscent of Lee McQueen in his prime. A notable mention must go to Matilda Snowdon’s hand-soldered chainmail gloves and hair accessories, which add a striking edge. She is followed by designers Kira Margolis, Aarya Shinde, Lucy Lambard, Fiona Pazri, and Orla Ní Eadhra, before the committee-styled looks from the charity shop Birthlink take centre stage.
Having seen the show advertised on Instagram, my flatmate and I spontaneously decided to audition as models. After blindly turning up to a casting, we both made the cut—an experience I am extremely glad we decided to take part in. Beyond just being an unforgettable university night, the event raised close to £2,000 for the student-led charity SolidariTee, which provides legal aid to refugees and fights for long-term change in the refugee crisis.
Designer Lucy Lambard created my centaur-inspired look, centred around the illusion of a hairy bottom half. As she adjusts my waistband, she tells me how rewarding it has been to work with such talented people for a meaningful cause: “I’m just really honoured to be a part of it.” Lambard is effortlessly cool, yet gracious in nature, something rare for someone as artistically daring as she is. “So, I can’t draw for shit,” she laughs, explaining how fabric took centre stage in her design process.
Backstage is a bubbly, electric environment. I catch the Fashion Society’s secretary and events officer, cornering them for a short interview while they juggle the gaggle of models, show tech, and last-minute logistics. “We believe students are at the heart of everything,” the secretary tells me, explaining why this cause is so important. When I ask what preparation for the event has been like, they joke, “Shaving my legs and oiling up,” before the events officer chimes in: “A bit chaotic, but very fun.”
In Week Eight, with minimal sunlight, university life can sometimes feel a little bleak. But the glitz, glamour, and grandeur of the night reminded me exactly why I love Edinburgh so much.
Image by Mabel Carter