Manchester University’s BA graduates curved the 19th century crinoline into a 21st century must-have at Graduate Fashion Week in London tonight.

The REALLY big skirt is the big news. Skirts so broad and high they would have trouble receiving into a London taxi, sashayed down the catwalk at Earls Court 2 in every fabric from chiffon to sheep’s wool.

Jessica Nicol brought the show to a finale, with a vast, black chiffon ball-skirt, and shirts featuring massive cascade of sleeves and “gloves” falling from each shoulder. The collection owed much to Viktor & Rolf and Maison Martin Margiela, but was nevertheless creative.

Poppy Warwicker-Le Breton paid homage to Yohji Yamamoto’s giant designs of a decade or so ago, interlaced on broomsticks.