Y GRADUATION was last Wednesday, July 21. Just a few months ago it seemed so far way.
   ‘It was a very intense year at Central Saint Martin’s. You never seem to have time to do anything other than study and it's an endurance trip to complete the course, but when you finally finish it, you can hardly believe you made it.
   ‘I was asked in my self-assessment form what would I change if I had the opportunity to do the final year all over again. There are quite a few things actually.
   ‘First and most important of all, and it is my advice for future CSM students: start looking for sponsorship on the first year. The course was extremelly expensive, you should be prepared to spend three to four times more than your initial budget, as things go wrong and you never count small “apparently non-important” expenses.
   ‘Secondly, as a foreign student, I found it difficult to juggle out grade systems, college bureaucracy, the whole English academic system, which was totally different [from what I knew]. I was constantly wasting time trying to find out how things worked, and doesn't matter how many questions you ask, you can't have the information if you don't know exactly what to ask. I should have spent time before the course researching this.
   ‘Thirdly, it would have been great to have a team of people working with me, as many students organized beforehand. Technicians, pattern-cutters, sample machinists, photographers, models, helpers, etc.—and back-ups for each one of them. I tried to do too much by myself and it doesn't work like that.
   ‘Lastly, I should have followed my instincts regarding my collection. I think the hardest thing of all was being constantly bombarded with everybody's opinion. At the end I felt overwhelmed by it and followed the tutor’s advice on changing my collection's colour (the toiles were white and they loved them like that). I kept the red dress, which was the most important for me and the basis of my collection,but then it was the tutor’s favourite one when the collection was ready. If you have an idea, stick with it: nobody can read into your mind and see what you see.
   ‘I felt sorry I gambled my autumn colour scheme, which was my signature, in exchange for a few more points in my marks; at the end I felt I lost more than I gained. But I also learnt.
   ‘In general, the experience was invaluable. There is no chalenge greater than making your own collection, presenting it and going through all the learning, technicalities and mistakes necessary to create fashion. I have learnt more in the past year than i have in all of the previous three years put together. I feel really light and accomplished now, and I am looking for the next chalenge.
   ‘As my mother arrived from Brazil to visit me “post-stress” and to see my graduation she exclaimed, “But you look fine! I thought I was going to find you stressed out and looking shabby!” Hmm, thanks Mom.’ •

Alice Coral is a fashion designer and a new graduate of Central St Martin’s.

Footnote: ‘I dedicate this first collection to my mother, who is a fashion icon by her own rights.’—AC

Credits
Photographed by Anthony Fuller, Image Takers
Studio: Image Takers, 290 Sangley Road, London, SE6 2JT, England (www.image-takers.com)
Hair and make-up by YoYo Tayler (hometown.aol.co.uk/yo44yo44tayler/)
Modelled by Emma-Kate Taylor

Collection notes
‘Dangerous Structure—Keep out’, by Alice Coral. The corseted dresses were created inspired by film icons, cartoons, Japonism and organic curves. The corsets create the illusion of a smaller waist. This photo shoot was a studio shoot to create Coral’s look-book.

‘Alice springs toward graduation’ (February 19, 2004)
‘From law to fashion: a conversation with Alice Coral’ (March 19, 2004)
‘If at first you don’t succeed’ (April 17, 2004)
‘Today’s the day’ (May 20, 2004)