Mulberry BFC Project

The brief was to design a collection based on 'Englishness' and to focus on outerwear and leather.

I decided to research into gardens as a subject. I discovered Lionel de Rothchild and his early colour photographs of his home, Waddesdon Manor.

The photographs depict Edwardian England to be unusually bright and colourful, and so I have used this idea to revitalise camouflage print with garden hues creating floral camouflage. While also softening military outerwear with Edwardian volume and stitch detailing.

Bally

This was a self initiated project for the Swiss leathergoods company. The project was inspired by Paris at night and the photographs of Helmut Newton and Guy Bourdin in the 1970's.

I started by creating laser cut mesh in nappa leather and developed this into a floral pattern, then placing a floral lining behind to show through. Expanding on the theme of circles, I lasercut my own sequins in varying sizes in black gloss plastic.

French Connection

This project was a live competition which I won when I was in my 2nd year at Kingston.

The brief was to design a mid-summer collection based on a festival. I based my project on the Holi festival in India which celebrates spring coming by throwing colour pigment. I thought it was appropriate as Stephen Marks started French Connection by going to India to source embellishment.

I developed a mixture of textures that complemented the randomness of the Holi festival, with splattered prints as well as partially fringed and sequined jackets. Keeping silhouettes clean and simple with asymmetric shapes to create subtle drape

Exhibition - 30 Years of Japanese Fashion

I was recommended to see this exhibition at the Barbican, and have to say it didn't dissapoint. There was loads to look at, up close as well. It was mainly Rei, Yohji and Issey which felt slightly fanatical, they could have had more Kenzo maybe, but what they did have was really good. The photographs by Naoya Hatekeyama showed each garment flat, which helped get your head around the famously innovative pattern cutting of the Japanese designs.

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