Southampton's St Mary's Stadium turned into a spectacle on Friday, as three Solent University students helped transform it for the Lord Mayor's charity masked ball, raising funds for local charities.
The BA (Hons) Interior Design Decoration students dressed the rooms for a night of music and fine dining that saw businesses, professionals and the community come together in support of City Farm, Sea Cadets, and the Saints Foundation.
The theme of the Lord Mayor’s Charity Masked Ball was 'Hollywood Glamour', with references to icons like Marilyn Monroe, clapperboards, awards trophies, and film reels setting the backdrop to the evening.
The Lord Mayor Cllr Valerie Laurent hosted the evening for her mayoral year.
Cllr Laurent said: "I am delighted to have had the support of these very talented students from Solent University at our masked ball. I was thrilled by their enthusiasm and innovative ideas when they pitched their proposals to me, and the winning design looked fabulous on the night."
The three students who delivered the design, Madelen Bjelland, Kate Fassone, and Nikola Kowaliszyn, said: "It’s such a great experience for us to get to work on a live project like this. We loved seeing our ideas come to life and help contribute to a magical and unforgettable evening for all the guests!"
The event offered the students firsthand experience of working directly with a client, dealing with deadlines, and gaining an understanding of the creative industry. Having spent the last four months hard at work, with guidance from lecturers, the students brought their imaginative ideas to fruition.
Among the attendees was Solent’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor James Knowles, alongside other University representatives.
Lydia Southwell, Course Leader Interior Design Decoration, said: "At Solent we are so proud of the talent and professionalism demonstrated by our students who have led the design of this event and brought it to life to the highest standard.
"We are committed to giving our undergraduates real-world experience which aids them in their creative careers, and the Lord Mayor’s Ball has been a unique opportunity for students to put their learning into practice in a space which elevates their profile as up-and-coming designers."
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