Lincoln School of Design Summer Show 2021

As a Womenswear Designer I enjoy working with colour, trend-combining and styling, to develop unique ‘looks’ for a younger female audience. Within my Final Collection I have explored my personal ambition to ‘adventure’ through the dramatic landscapes of Canada and Iceland. My collection takes inspiration from functional travel wear and bohemian styling, and offers a creative Capsule Wardrobe through textural, mix-and-match garments, designed to be layered. I am currently working on a collaborative print design project with local fashion label Sqwears Couture, and want to move into a career in Fashion Styling in the future.

I am a highly driven, creative designer, inspired by graphics, retro-art and key fashion eras including the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Within my Final Collection ‘Let’s Get Trippy’’ I have explored a range of personal influences and creative interests, combining bold prints and pop-inspired fabrics; plush velvet and leatherette in this modern-retro collection. My creative interests are very much about the visual, with digital print, illustration and a bold use of colour driving my designs. I am excited about my future, and look forward to working within the fashion industry, hopefully in design or fashion marketing.

During a six month internship as a Content Development Assistant at Ethical Brand Directory I came across a quote that described the global fashion industry as ‘one of the largest, most dynamic and influential industries on the planet’. This became the inspiration for my final collection as I aimed to use the industries ‘influential power’ to give a voice to the African Child Soldier Crisis, bringing it to the attention of today’s consumers using trend predictions. The collection uses striking colours with a selection of warming tones for a balanced aesthetic. The design brings utility details to everyday wear, while the print design tells the stories of child soldiers, Agnes and Lionel, in their own words.

I am an Offcut London Designer of the Year 2020 finalist and had my collection featured in the Virtual Catwalk Show in partnership with Not Just A Label, where my designer profile can be viewed. I am also part of Fashion Crossover London’s Graduate Talent Programme.

My portfolio focuses on ethical change within the fashion industry, from conscious wool production to a capsule-wear collection. The aim of my Final Collection was to develop ethical garments’ that are both wearable and appealing to the modern consumer. I focused on Zero Waste pattern cutting, moving away from the typically wasteful western approach and used only organic fabrics. The tonal palette of black, white and grey supported my capsule wardrobe approach, and enhanced the diverse wear-ability and appeal. Inspired by an artists’ mind being constantly busy with new ideas, I sketched an array of collection enhancing pattern and print ideas, for accent and accessory detailing. Post-Graduation, I want to gain a range of industry experience, before launching my own ethical label that contributes to a more sustainable future fashion!

My Final Collection Creeped Out, explores the larger than life image and character of Clowns. Adopting the narrative of ‘clowns aren’t all fun and laughter’ I have creatively explored the common belief that clowns are quite creepy! Inspired by my Muse Villanelle of Killing Eve fame, I have combined exaggerated proportions, with dramatic details, luxury fabrics and a stark mono colour palette. The hand painted red mouth offers a disturbing accent on selected pieces, reminding the wearer of the twisted inspiration.

My Final Collection Zero Gravity is inspired by social mobility. It captures the bold spirit of the underdog through juxtaposing fabrics and silhouettes. Digital prints, experimental puffer techniques and Nottinghamshire lace are combined in this capsule collection which ‘supports you at your worst and showcases you at your best’.

As a socially conscious creative practitioner I approach design from the perspective of giving a voice to those who do not have one. During my degree I have undertaken various internships within the university and I plan to continue my educational journey on the MA Design at the University of Lincoln. 

A BURLY METAMORPHOSIS

As a passionate Milliner, I decided to pursue this area for my final collection, focusing on bespoke, hand-crafted headwear with contemporary appeal. My collection is inspired by insects that go through metamorphosis, translating across to my inspiration of Burlesque Dancers. I explored the creative parallels between metamorphosising insects and Burlesque dancers ‘shedding their outer-skins’ in a performative context. The collection is a celebration of 1950’s glamour and the seductive power of Burlesque. I’m also in the process of setting up my own bespoke Millinery business.

For my Final Collection I looked at ‘Botanicals’. I love the shapes and silhouettes of flowers and wanted to replicate these through experimental pattern cutting, intricate detailing and luxurious fabrics and textures. As creator of this collection, I particularly enjoyed seeing my 2D sketches emerge into bold, exciting garments. After my degree I would like to work in the luxury level of the industry, developing couture pieces that will be valued.

My collection ‘SEW OVER IT!’ is inspired by the anxious thoughts I face when sewing and pattern cutting, the ‘monsters in my head’. Illustration, digital print and soft layering combine, connoting dress-up to escape the chaos of the mind; creative canvases for unique individuals. The fabulous muse is Grayson Perry dressed as his alter ego Claire.

I am a highly illustrative designer/maker, producing strong narratives and printed visual impact throughout design. I plan to go onto study an MA within fashion and textiles/printed fashion, as well as actively seeking an internship in order to gain experience within the fashion and print industry. My dream internship would be to work for Zandra Rhodes! During my degree I have undertaken styling experience for a Gok Wan fashion event. My final collection features on; Fashion Crossovers digital platform and I have also entered it into the I-D and Arts Thread Global design graduate show 2020.

Ethereal Phoenix

Throughout my degree I have pursued my interest in mixing Art and Fashion to create unique and interesting concepts. As I am passionate about sustainability my Final Collection; Ethereal Phoenix has been developed using only second-hand and repurposed materials. The look is alternative and punk-inspired, mixing aggressive styling with ripped edges, raw seams and hand-painted details. Developed for the new-wave of anti-fast fashion activists, or as I call them ‘Eco-Punks’, I intend to use the collection as inspiration for my own (just launched) label that specialises in highly individual, reworked and remodelled clothing with a bespoke approach, making every piece as unique as the wearer!

My Final Collection ‘What if Earth Becomes Uninhabitable?’ was inspired by the world around us, and the catastrophic impact of our actions on the earth by 2050, if things do not change. It is predicted that in the near future we will be living in space! Colour palette, prints and patterns are influenced by environmental damage caused byhumans (over consumption and over population etc.) and garment shapes and detailing based on the silhouettes of protective clothing. As a Womenswear Designer I have a range of strong creative and technical skills, and haveparticular interest in; fashion illustration, print and accessory design. During my degree I entered a range of national competitions including; Redress Sustainable Design and Specsavers x Red or Dead, in which I was a Finalist.

Within my Final Collection ‘Suit Your Mood’, I wanted to explore and reflect my interest in menswear, within a womenswear collection.

Fabric and shapes were inspired by historic menswear and combined to give a traditional feel. The aim of the collection was to develop a modern and versatile range that could be styled and worn in many different ways. Following my degree I hope to pursue my interest in menswear and tailoring, further expanding my technical skills. During my degree I gained an Internship with a luxury personal shopping company, which gave me valuable experience of styling and retail aspects of the industry.