Creative students from Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD) celebrated their passion for fashion and their desire for dazzling designs at the opening of the College’s 2017 Degree Show, and are now taking up some amazing opportunities to develop their creative careers following their studies.

The cream of the north east ‘s young artists and designers put their talents on show at the opening night of the degree show titled ‘Northern Exposure’ at CCAD’s new £11m building in Hartlepool.

The work from the talented young artists and designers is now on display at CCAD’s dedicated university level campus until Saturday 10 June, and features works from ten degree courses, including creative film, production design, fashion and photography.

21-year-old Shannon Garland, from Brotton in Saltburn, studied for a degree for costume interpretation with design, and has now secured a job as a designer with Seaham-based bridal company, House of Mooshki.

Her final major project showcases a collection of bridal gowns inspired by the company’s bridal label, Grace Philips. She said: “I did some work experience in my second year with House of Mooshki, helping them prepare for the label release of Grace Philips. After a week with them I was offered a job with the company working on weekends and in the holidays. By the end of second year I had helped in every aspect of the company, including a location photoshoot and trade show. I decided to use the label as my influence, as bridal was the industry I wanted to enter upon graduation, and the label was so new and contemporary.

“The build up to the degree show has been very busy for me, as I have been to both Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week and White Gallery London doing industry trade fairs with House of Mooshki and Grace Philips, all while handing in final major project and also while building the degree show. However, what I have learned from doing this has only helped me further with my work. The support which everyone at House of Mooshki and Grace Philips has also offered me has been amazing and has helped me achieve the best I could.”

Shannon added: “At CCAD I have really enjoyed the opportunity to experiment with different styles and techniques and being able to develop and refine skills which has enabled me to secure my job within my second year of study. After graduation I will continue with my job becoming a full time employee and hopefully developing my role within the team.”

Robert Patchett, 21, is a textile and surface design student from Linthorpe in Middlesbrough and after graduating, will undertake an internship with London-based designer, Orla Kiely, in the design studio.

His final major project is about exploring texture, structure and compositions of urban landscape cities and has created a collection of rough and working designs inspired from the rawness seen in everyday industrial cities.

He said: “I am really looking forward to working at Orla Kiely, secured thanks to my teacher Claire Baker. Once I have finished there I will continue to apply for roles within the industry and keep building my knowledge. Being at CCAD, I have enjoyed building up my skills within textiles and building connections with my tutors and making new friends. It is a very welcoming place and am glad to be part of it.”

Brogan Beensen, 21, is a graphic design and communication degree student from Hall Farm in Sunderland. Her final major project is an original children’s book about a character called Moggy, a little witch who doesn’t have the best of luck.

She said: “I wanted the story in itself to be fun and silly but to also serve as a message to kids that you don’t always have to be the greatest, most amazing at what you do as what really matters is that you’ve tried your best! My influences definitely came from my own childhood as I’ve always loved telling tall tales and I was always taught by my family that trying your best is what counts.

“The build up to the degree show has definitely been stressful but in a rewarding way. I’ve learned a lot about the way I work and how best to approach strict deadlines. There were countless late nights making sure my project was print ready, as you want everything to work effortlessly together and really showcase your work, especially when you’re amongst your amazing peers. The work I’ve done and the support I’ve received throughout this period has given me massive confidence in myself.”

After graduation, Brogan hopes to be a children’s book illustrator. She continued: “All of my book-related projects at college have really taught me this is an area I love and it’s an area I know I can passionately apply myself to.”

22-year-old Amy Day from Washington studied for a degree for costume interpretation with design, and as part of her degree, worked with designer Dwayne Henderson, who has created pieces for Lady Gaga’s during her UK tours in 2014.

Her final major project showcases a collection of outfits with the theme of ‘Medical Fetishism’ made entirely from latex with the influences of vintage nurse uniform.

Amy said: “I made friends with Newcastle-based latex designer Dwayne Henderson when I attended a fetish event called Torture Garden last year. He’s been very helpful in giving me tips and hints of the trade and we hope to work together at some point in the future. I also modelled one of his costumes on the catwalks for Torture Garden’s 2017 Birthday Ball, which was loads of fun, as I got a real insider view on directing a catwalk.

“I was excited about the degree show, not only to show people my own work but to look around at all the other departments to see what everyone’s been up to this year! I think I’ll be taking some time out to work and build up some funds to start my own online business and a pop-up shop, but I will be still making some outfits in my time out to get some extra practise in.”

Textile and surface design degree student, Rynae Masawi, 29 from Newtown in Stockton, has been chosen to attend Texprint, a leading trade show which promotes new textile designers and showcases the best of British textile design talent. She is also representing the college at the New Designers Show in London this summer.

Rynae said: “Having been nominated for both TexPrint and New Designers 2017, if I am honest, I am still a little bit in shock! It is all unreal for me and pinching myself is not doing the trick. I am so excited to be interviewed by the industry’s prolific people and exhibiting my work – what could be better than that?”

Rynae’s final project theme is Preciousness Hidden, inspired by artists such as Tracey Emin and Jean Michael Basquiat, who often used their human emotions as part of their work. During her degree studies, Rynae had a two-week internship at luxury wear labels Burberry and Fishwife, which helped her to understand the running of design businesses.

She added: “At CCAD I have been surrounded by very talented people who really want to succeed this was infectious it made me want to work harder. The studios here at CCAD brilliant you can work independently to develop your own art practice.”

After graduating Rynae is hoping to study for MA in Fine Arts.

Pat Chapman, Head of Employability and External Relations at CCAD, said: “It is always inspiring to see the creativity and talent that our students produce, and I offer my congratulations to them all. The students have worked tremendously hard over the course of the degree, and they can be justly proud of their final work, as I am sure are their family and friends.

“For the graduates it is not the end but the launch pad for their careers. Every year the show is different and wonderful but this year is particularly special as it showcases their work in the new state-of-the-art building with its teaching, studio and workshop facilities. I encourage people to come along to the exhibitions and see the incredible talents on display for themselves.”

The degree show is open to the public every day from 10am until 8pm until Friday 9 June and 10am until 4pm on Saturday 10 June at the new building on corner of Church Street and Mainsforth Terrace in Hartlepool. During the exhibition, which is now a popular regional event, visitors can experience a huge array of works, including costumes, wallpapers, clothing, prints, films and illustrations.