Paperclips and bubble wrap aren’t usually seen in the Roman era or on the catwalk, but a fashion show yesterday at the National Roman Legion Museum in Caerleon defied expectations.

Six students from Newport aged from 13 to 16 spent four days at the museum learning about Roman styles of clothing. With the help of Suzi Dorey, a designer, they each created a dress and accessories, after getting inspiration from trying on costumes from the Welsh National Opera’s stores.

They also made their own Roman lip paint and perfume and learned about beauty trends from the Roman period in hair and make-up workshops, with the help of an in-costume interpreter, Sally Pointer.

Inspired by objects in the museum’s collection, they displayed their original creations made with unusual materials such as bubble wrap at a fashion show on a stage set up in the museum garden at 3pm on Friday for family, friends and guests.

They left with an Expressive Arts Short Course ASDAN accreditation.

India Ganner, 15, Maddy Clabon, 16, Kathryn Williams, 16, Hannah Donovan, 16, Maisie Jenkins, 13 and Britney Higgs, 14, took part, looking at Roman fashion from dresses and togas to military armour.

Britney said: “I have really enjoyed working at the museum. We learnt how the Romans have inspired our way of life and our fashion today.”

India added: “Having an opportunity to look around the Welsh National Opera costume store was amazing! The costumes were fantastic.”

Emma Routley, learning officer with the museum, said: “The girls looked at creating flowing dresses with a twist. We looked at the masculine figures of Roman soldiers and the armour they wore and the belts they would use made of coins.

“It’s been fantastic.”

The Roman National Legion Museum looks back at Wales’ Roman heritage. The country was the furthest outpost of the Roman Empire and in AD 75, Romans built a fortress at Caerleon which would stand guard over the region for more than 200 years.

For more information visit www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/roman