A review of this year’s fashion show

Hidden beneath the rattle of the passing trains from Glasgow Central, something big is brewing. People are gathering, the throb of electronic music is spilling onto the streets, carried aloft on the chatter of excited groups arriving to the clatter of heels and departing ubers. Tonight is the night GUCFS has been working towards for eight months. Tonight is their climax.

Upon walking into the Arches, the night’s journey commences by ducking under an arch of red gauze, marking the entrance to a cavernous space that will host the show. Arriving at the well decorated sponsorship board reminds attendees of the efforts and planning taken for a show like this to go ahead. Later on, guests are treated to the uplifting tunes of the band as they grab a drink and mill around waiting for the show to start, accompanied by photographers and sketch artists hovering ready to capture the night. The fashion on display tonight is not just on the runway, but also hangs on the bodies of the attendees, who are dressed to impress. 

Charity, as with all else GUCFS does, remains at the heart of the event, with show programmes explaining more about Refuweegee and their work, alongside donation buckets, raffle sales, and a charity display explaining more about the cause - if you want to learn more about Refuweegee, check out our earlier article introducing GUCFS’ efforts to help them. The theme also seems to reflect in the night, with the night too feeling like it’s building up to something special, as the anticipation builds up and the excited chatter escalates amidst flashing lights and pumped up music. 

Eventually people migrate towards the stage and the night kicks off in earnest with the show video playing, its monotone colours focusing attention on the stage and building a sense of mysticism through its eerie music. In this sense, the stage has become our chapel, the night our worship as the audience sits in rapt attention - waiting. The instrumental backing eventually fades out to bring in the countdown to the main event, which ends in an uproar of cheers and encouragement as the first model walks out. And the show begins, to rampant applause and Babestation’s mixes as a menagerie of looks parade down the stage, from elegant ruffled pastel constructs, to sleek androgynous looks; from neon evening wear to futurist neutral knits; with looks from acclaimed designers including Leeka Ndure, Jewelsum, Viktoria Zuziak and many more. A further review of the looks on show on the night will be available soon in Part 2 of this review!

But, like all good things, the show eventually has to end, and it does so with a bang, closing out to a triumphant model and committee walk to ‘Gimme More’ by Britney Spears. The vibrant energy of the night remains high in celebration for the people who made this all possible, and the room is filled with friends, family, and fashion fans applauding their efforts and hard work. With that, the show ends and the after party begins in earnest, with people dancing away the rest of the night to the tunes from DJs Max Allan, Beth Knight and Cameron Kahoe. GUCFS, of course, is ready to do it all again the next day for Saturday night’s show.

The scope and intensity of effort it takes to put on a show like Climax should not be understated. To do it as smoothly and professionally as GUCFS does requires even more work. The culmination of eight months of hard work is ultimately in service for GUCFS’ fundraising efforts for their charity of the year, Refuweegee, and their success in raising money to make a difference for their cause has only grown year on year prior to covid. Two years after their last show, it was an absolute pleasure to see GUCFS return in person in such triumphant fashion, and the night’s success will hopefully reflect in this year’s donation. Seeing so many people turn out to celebrate a deserving cause stands testament to the strong community within and beyond Glasgow University, and G-You for one can’t wait to see what GUCFS produces next year.