E’RE THERE: it’s May 20 and postgrad Alice Coral, whom we’ve followed over the last few months and had the support of some of our great readers, is showing her Central St Martin’s graduation collection today in London.
   While we can’t show all the designs as some are still secret, we can reveal a few from Alice’s photo shoot. Coming up, we will show Alice’s entire collection and shots from the three-dimensional instal­lation.
   ‘My show is finally here and I am very excited,’ she told us. ‘After so much hard work, it will be the first time I will see the whole collection together on the models, with accessories, shoes and make-up.
   ‘It has been an incredible roller-coaster and it was scary sometimes, but mainly a real buzz. After all the organizing, sewing, photo shoot, studio, models, contacts and, of course, making the collection, I feel like a proper designer, and it is rewarding.’
   Alice recognizes that she was not alone and many have given up their free time, investing in her talent and believing in her. She names designer Paula Barbeito, ‘who made my beautiful spats and gave me advice and inspiration along the way’; designer Lyall Hakkaria, ‘who gave me invaluable advice about corsets’ construction and also lent me his studio to finish my collection,’ Alexander Webster, photographer, ‘who did the beautiful location photo shoot and captured exactly what I wanted,’ and Emma Rice, the model who appears in these shots, interpreting Alice’s idea of the starlet and who has ‘become my muse.’
   Webster had stepped in to help after earlier arrangements changed. His web site, www.synkspeed.com, shows the photographer’s versatility with non-fashion work as well.
   Alice also thanks the Phoenix Artist Club Bar & Dining Room, and its manager Maurice, ‘who lent us the space for the indoor photo shoot.
   ‘The Phoenix used to be the rehearsal and dressing rooms where Laurence Olivier made his stage début, and is located under the Phoenix Theatre in Charing Cross Road, London, W1,’ Alice explains.
   All of us at Lucire wish Alice all the best for today and look forward to seeing her name not just in our pages, but in many of our competitors’ titles, too. After this journey, and seeing the inspiration behind and quality of her work, she deserves it. •

Some of our readers were not credited by name due to privacy, but if you do wish to be named, please let us know.

Photographed by Alexander Webster
Modelled by Emma Rice
Make-up and fashion designs by Alice Coral
Location: Phoenix Artist Club

After all the organizing, sewing, photo shoot, studio, models, contacts and, of course, making the collection, I feel like a proper designer, and it is rewarding

LEFT: Pre-shoot make-up: Alice Coral works on Emma Rice.