Extraordinary creativity and
exceptional entertainment with added attitude -

The 2011 Shell 'Recycled Fashion' Show

Hurst is getting greener by the day. Yet many of the activities that we routinely undertake (recycling etc) are 'invisible'.

They really do help to make a difference, but perhaps don't make the impact of the 'Recycled Fashion Show'. The brainchild of Hurst's Head of Art, Tiffany Farrell, this annual event involves the whole of the the Shell year-group.

It's is a great piece of fun 'theatre' but it is also rather more than that, and it says two important things about the school.

Firstly, it's a 'signature event' that firmly reminds us of the school's commitment to a greener, more sustainable, future.

Secondly, it shows the quite remarkable creativity, imagination and capacity for hard work present throughout our Shell year-group.

These 13 year-olds designed, created and modelled outfits made using bubble wrap, wire, cd's, plastic bags. They worked with anything they could lay their hands on - even incorporating elements of discarded clothing - and cut, shaped, ironed and stitched these unpromising objects until, miraculously it seemed, outfits emerged that were always individual and always imaginative.

Finally, with panache and style that belied their years they stalked the catwalk, each wearing his or her own creation. The privileged audience in a packed Bury were treated to a succession of artistic experiences that ranged from the bizarre, even eclectic, to the practical and - one has to say - really rather glamorous.

Below are the rushes from the 2011 Show as they came straight off the camera. Not great photographs, they have not been tweaked, edited or cropped but they do give a raw sense of what was an astonishing, and very creative, piece of fun.

As the show closed, Hurst's Head of Senior School Art Tiffany Farrell, reflected the thoughts of the entire audience when she said that "We are all proud of the Shell and what they have achieved; tonight’s show has been the best ever with so many highlights." As tradition dictates, she then made her show awards.

Group Awards:
Phoebe Oliver (model), Maddie Ball, Izzy Cozzi, Billy Francis, Ollie Silvey (Shell A) – Team work Henry Bettle (model), Matt Cowley, Horatio Gould, Morgan Griffin, JD Mooney (Shell M)– Most elaborate outfit
Issy Tower (model), Charlotte Wicks, Edwina Lywood, (Shell Y) – Innovation and Making
Elise Gayler (model), Sasha Treharne, Elisa Lewis, Doug Brion (spot light), Laura Connell (Shell Z) – Best use of materials Nick Robinson (Shell Y) – Poster competition (image used for programme and advertising)

And, finally, Miss Farrell mentioned her own highlights from the show:
James Oliver: his smile and his plastic trousers
Noah Radcliff-Kirby: for his extraordinary platform shoes
Ella Gibson for her hand print trousers
Serena Haynes for her netting skirt
Elise Gayler for her bubble wrap corset and skirt

It was a superlative evening's entertainment and proof of the great reservoir of talent present in our current Shell year group.

And, finally, the credits:

Presenting: Horatio Gould, Tom Doughty, Ben Cooke
Technical Director: Richard Wright
Technical Assistants: Douglas Brion, Charlie Scates, Harry Hazeldean
Front of House: Will Farthing, Dan Hall, Jasper Ward Backstage Helpers: Izzy Bloomer, Jane Vombaunen, George Machan Choreography: Nicola Dominy
Seamstresses: Helen Wright, Sarah Blackaller
Coordinating: Tiffany Farrell, Jo West, Kate Muir
Cover Design: Nic Robinson
PowerPoints: Paul Cremor
Plus all the students in Shell who have worked so hard over the last couple of months:
Group 1 Elise Gayler, Ella Gibson, Zofia Page, Beth Crocker, Elizabeth Haigh
Group 2 Charlie Austin-Groome, Jonathan Pavey, Lottie O’Donoghue, Emily Watson, James Henriet
Group 3 James Oliver, Izzie Goodman, Henry Pearl, Joss Harris, Georgia James
Group 4 Rob Cope, Courtney Hausford, Bront Rose-Mark,s Noah Kirby, TC Crane
Group 5 James Francis, Phoebe Oliver, Ollie Silvey, Issy Tower, Alifyah Najefy
Group 6 Issy Tunley-Lo, Ross Pollecutt, Ben Macleod, Sabrina Haynes, Henry Bettle