Solstice in Motion

Catwalk in review

I left the Catwalk launch on Friday 7 November, feeling impressed and even a little emotional. Hosted at The Niblick Restaurant and the R&A Golf Museum, the launch began with a warm welcome from the Catwalk team, who mingled through the space, visibly excited, introducing guests to one another until the room began to buzz. Catwalk is an entirely student-run fashion show that raises money for charity, this year supporting Doctors Without Borders and Centrepoint, an organisation working to end youth homelessness in the UK.

For the launch, the Niblick had been transformed into a stylish social space and bar. With a delicious welcome drink in hand, I spent the pre-show hour chatting with guests and admiring everyone’s style. One outfit in particular caught my eye, a simple black dress with a delicate lace detail where a back cut-out would normally be. Paired with bold gold jewellery and statement earrings, it was both minimal and magnetic, perfectly suited to Catwalk’s simplistic, artistic ambience.

After the cocktail hour, guests were guided from the restaurant into the R&A Museum, where the show was set to begin. As we entered, the models were already moving through the museum floor, fluidly performing, making the new atmosphere feel distinct. Inside, the museum’s circular layout and its central exhibits made for a strikingly original venue.

When the music started, the rhythmic beats created a thrilling sense of anticipation. The models appeared in all-black, form-fitting outfits that highlighted their movement. They walked to different tempos, sometimes overtaking one another, sometimes slowing down, a choreography unlike anything I’d seen before. At one point, a group of male models began rhythmically clapping their hands and hitting their legs in unison, then caving in their chests as if taking deep breaths. The pattern repeated and expanded as more models joined the percussive dance. It was visceral.

Throughout the walks, there was so much happening at once. One moment, female models were leaning against the museum display tables and dancing in unison around them; the next, some models were moving towards the audience while others walked backwards beside them, stamping each foot on the ground in perfect sync. The precision required to sustain so many simultaneous movements made it clear that the choreography was meticulously planned and executed with intention. Throughout the show, I didn’t know what to expect next, and that was the best part. There was no rulebook, no formula for what a fashion show launch should be. 

The models moved like dancers, pausing at different points on the runway to convey meaning through gestures — one repeatedly drew back an imaginary bow before releasing it skyward. Every motion felt intentional yet fluid. There were lifts, duets, and group sequences that explored connection and embodiment. With no distractions, no flashing lights, no lyrics, no extravagant costumes, the focus remained on movement itself: the rhythm, the body, and the shared energy of the space.

The final walk was perhaps the most moving moment. Each model approached someone they especially loved in the audience — a close friend, parent, sibling, or partner — and led them into the centre of the room, creating an atmosphere filled with warmth and authenticity. 

The night concluded with a black-and-white video revealing Catwalk’s theme for this year: “Solstice.” The video explained that the theme “exemplifies the beauty that can be found within the turning points of nature.” With this new information in mind, the upward gazes, reaching movements, and circular patterns I’d witnessed during the launch grew into a larger story. The performance revealed itself to be rich with symbolism, weaving together nature, light, and renewal.

After the show, I had the pleasure of speaking with directors Rebecca Rosenberg and Lillianna Webb, who shared that their vision for the launch was to celebrate both the models and their relationship with nature. Rebecca told me, “The launch was a vibrant celebration of the creativity, dedication, and spirit of Catwalk. The event honored not only our models and committee, but also the supportive energy that brought it all to life. With a backdrop in nature, Solstice marks a tribute to light, transformation, and our enduring connection to the natural world.” Much of the creative inspiration, the directors said, came from head choreographer Sasha Saveleva, whose dance background and passion for movement were evident in every moment of the performance. Model Tom Dunlop described her as “incredible,” and her talent was evident in her work. Remarkably, the team prepared a detailed and polished launch only two months after recruiting new models in September. The sense of community and cooperation was clear.

The Catwalk launch on Friday was nothing short of astonishing. It surpassed my expectations. It was a beautiful fusion of art, community, and creativity, and a promising preview of what’s to come from Catwalk this year.

Photo by Maya Dasilva