DINOSAUR skeletons and showcases of exotic creatures created a stunning backdrop for the finale to Oxford Fashion Week – hailed as “amazing” by designers and guests.

Six days of glamour came to a close on Saturday with the Birds of Paradise runway show at Oxford University’s Museum of Natural History.

Inspired by colourful and exotic beauties of nature, models wore eye-catching dresses, headgear and feather-adorned false eyelashes that brushed their cheeks.

Exotically-attired models showed off collections on catwalks between illuminated exhibits.

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It brought to an end the city’s first ever Autumn/Winter fashion week. Organisers are now planning the next Spring/Summer event in March.

Saturday’s show, the first to be based on an artistic theme, was the brainchild of creative director and St Catherine’s College biology student Hannah Zainuddin, who also modelled in the show.

The 20-year-old said: “We had a lecture on the birds and they were so wonderful I had to include them in fashion.”

Miss Zainuddin, who has worked on two previous fashion weeks, said: “It’s amazing to see something through from inception to the end.

“Seeing it come together with the clothes and sets I wanted, made all the stress and pressure worth it. Being a director involves months of planning, whereas being a model is very much about just turning up on the day.”

Designers from all over the world took part in the show, with Julia Chew flying in from the American state of Florida just hours before it began.

The designer, who sells hand-made feathered dresses, said: “The theme just fit so well with my work, that when Hannah approached me I was really inspired and had to take part.

“I used designs I already had, but really ramped them up. I have a lot of jewel-coloured dresses which are all covered in feathers.

“One of my dresses, the Raven Queen, is a full-length dress covered from throat to the bottom of a train in black feathers. It’s really dramatic.

“I’ve loved being part of Oxford Fashion Week, it’s been an amazing whirlwind. This is actually my first time to the UK so it’s really been incredible.”

The spectacular finale followed two back-to-back shows the previous night.

Friday’s Independent Collection and Couture shows took place on the museum’s upper storey, male and female models parading along a tiled catwalk, lined on one side with a wall of butterflies and on the other with views over the museum from the balcony.

Models – heads and eyes fixed straight ahead – sported an eclectic mix of colours in dresses, jackets, trousers, tops and one-piece creations.

Chloe Mellen, 21, of Barton Road, Headington, had accessories from her independent brand CJM Jewellery on display.

She started her company after graduating in jewellery design from London’s Central Saint Martins college in June.

She said: “I’ve done quite a few fairs in London but it’s nice to come here because it’s my home town.

“I’m quite happy that my pieces actually have an impact on the catwalk.”

Bianca Elgar, 53, from East Street, Osney Island, Oxford, launched her Be Unlimited silk collection at the event.

It came after two years of preparation, having decided she wanted to become a designer following a six-month stint in Belgium.

She said: “I went abroad with a few black dresses and a couple of skirts and I realised how versatile silk scarves are, so decided to set up my own brand of silk clothes and accessories.

“It was amazing to launch it.

“It has been a lot of hard work but the models looked stunning so it made it all worthwhile.”

Abingdon’s Abbie Neale, 20, helped style the models’ hair backstage and sat in the audience for the shows.

She said: “The Independent show was something new. I liked seeing different collections, especially from unknown designers who are trying to break into the scene.”

Sven Hentz, 40, from Fisher Row, Oxford, attended Friday’s shows with his wife Monica, 46.

He said: “It was very good and entertaining with a very diverse range and different ideas.”

Oxford Fashion Week Director Carl Anglim said: “The week went so fast, I can’t believe it’s over.

“We worked so hard to improve things every day, so it was really great to see it all coming together and looking really polished and sophisticated.

“There’s still a lot of reviewing to do now the shows are over, and then it’s straight into working for the next Oxford Fashion Week in March.

“It really is a full-time thing now we’re doing two shows a year, but it’s worth it because it’s just so amazing.”

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