SEXISM, saving the environment and the holocaust are just three of the issues providing inspiration for work by young fashion students in York.

Other topics behind their end-of-year collections include the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the ethics of the fashion industry and the American Dream.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's catwalk shows at the racecourse, York College fashion tutor Marie Neal-Smith said: “Collections have been inspired by broad-ranging themes this year, many of them carrying messages which reflect the happenings in our society. Fabrics and silhouettes are diverse, creative and often unconventional in the combinations they are presented in. It promises to be an exciting 2016 show.”

Students showed off their creations in a special preview for The Press. They were photographed by the college's Nick Hill against the backdrop of the Sense of Wonder exhibition by Julian Brown, currently on display in the York College Gallery.

In her collection titled Queen, Ruby Martin sought to highlight modern day sexism towards women. The 21 year old from York made and dyed her own felt. She used metal and thin embossed and thick-frosted matt PVC – fabrics she had not used before. She engraved sexist quotes on two garments. Her next step is to study for a master degree in Women’s Fashion at Manchester Metropolitan University.

York Press:

Sian King, 21, from Pickering, examined the impact we are having on the environment in The Humanity Collection. It was inspired by her voluntary work in turtle conservation in Greece last year. Fishing boats, light and sound pollution and beach landscapes were the lasting impressions she reflects in her designs. Her ambition is to be a pattern cutter and she has already secured an internship with Sub Sport.

A trip to Auschwitz and interviews with survivors of the concentration camp inform the work of Abigail Parvin, 21, from York. Titled, Never Again, the collection features floral fabrics (signifying clothing the Jews had to give up) and military uniforms. Abigail wants to follow a career in costume for tv and theatre.

Sweatshop labour is thrust into the spotlight by Stephanie Bank, 24, from York. Stephanie was inspired by a documentary called The True Cost about the ethical side of fashion. Her collection looks at what can be done to improve the lives of people who work in the fashion industry (such as sweatshop workers and farmers handling dangerous chemicals in the cotton industry). Called Ethical Geisha, she presents the lives of Japanese geisha, made out of ethical fabrics.

York College fashion show will take place on Wednesday at York Racecourse with two performances at 1.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are available from York College finance desk or by telephone on 01904 770 228.