ARCHIVE: Fashion 20/21
Mason Tomsett
Instagram: @masondtomsett
Future: BA Fashion Design - Menswear at Central Saint Martins, Sept 2021
Conceptual design is a standout area of interesting practice for me, particularly in exploring how I integrate critical questions surrounding conformity, function and genderqueer identity into my work. I see the interaction between a garment and a person, as an alluring performative art- a notion I am keen to evolve further within my design approach. This year I have been working with a feeling, the idea of ‘change’ and preconceived visions of the future near and far.
I am inspired by people and the human experience. I want to continue to make work that challenges conventions and breaks rules. I hope to become a terrible designer. Colour with all the crayons in the box and choose sustainable design practices! Looking for any relevant creative work opportunities.
Abbey Arthur
Instagram: @abbeyarthurr
Future: BA (Hons) Fashion Design at Heriot Watt, September 2021
Through my studies, I have fully recognised what it means to be a fashion designer and what skills are vital for success. Throughout my studies, I have been able to develop my skills in complex pattern cutting and apply this knowledge to developing 3D shapes. Also, I have excelled in design; both illustration and digital aspects such as CAD and Adobe. Additionally, I understand how to properly establish an effective colour palette. Overall, when designing, I can consider fabric, textures, pattern and silhouette to create a strong collection.
My strong work ethic means that I have been able to push myself to raise the standard of my work. The fashion world is a competitive one, therefore I will always try to look outside of the box and to have designs that will allow me to stand out from the crowd. I particularly thrive most when I can push the boundaries and design what I feel most passionate about, however have shown experience in being adaptable towards any given brief.
Harley Kyle
IG: @harleymade
Future: BA (Hons) Fashion Design at Glasgow School of Art, September 2021
My collection is based on unfinished architecture, which has been something that has inspired me time and time again. Taking architecture and viewing it from a different perspective, before it becomes a finished structure and dissecting the aspects within. It’s deconstruction without reaching the level of decay. I incorporated textile manipulations as a way to elevate garments displaying this through an illustrative element using contrast stitching and sheer fabrics, in the form of a structure. I created cut-outs by using the negative space in place of floor plans, using patchwork as a nod to construction and leaving raw finishes. My final work is heavily derived from my design process, where I try to use experimental techniques and combine them including sculptures, printmaking, collages and digital work. After college, I am continuing with further education and growing my clothing brand.
Maja Donachie
Future: BA (Hons) Fashion Design at Glasgow School of Art, September 2021
My collection is based on the concept of two people physically, emotionally and mentally engaged. I wanted to delve into the mental anguish of both and how it combined them almost as one person, a mirror image of both. I have combined female and male attire to convey this in my collection.
My inspiration for my work came from history, photography, illustration, vintage details from the era of the novel Wuthering Heights and my representation of said novel and how it would be perceived in modern society.
I strive to take an idea, expand on it to push it and myself to its full potential. I am driven, I thrive on knowledge and gaining it. The more I gain the better I will become as a designer in my own right.
Kirsty Turnbull
Instagram: @bonnieweebesom
Future: BSc (Hons) Fashion Technology at Heriot Watt, September 2021
After being out of the artistic game for a number of years, I have rediscovered a passion for drawing and painting, now incorporating design and have furthered an appetite for fashion technology. I am so thankful for the reignition of my artistic expression and am excited to embrace art and design into my career and daily life. My collection is an exploration of retro femininity further inspired by the modern, fabulous and fruity women in my personal life. It is important to me that my work is always fun, flirty, fashionable, and enjoyed by both myself and the consumer. My mission is to craft beautiful, accessible and inclusive lingerie and sleepwear as an independent maker. I plan to continue exploring my art independently and advance my technical skills by studying a BSc (Hons) in Fashion Technology at Heriot-Watt University.
Rebecca King
Instagram: @rkdesign__
Future: BA (Hons) Fashion Design at Heriot Watt, September 2021
My collection ‘Castaway’ was inspired by fishing pollution in the ocean and how ropes and nets become tangled and intertwined in corals and seaweed, creating a juxtaposition between man-made and natural. My collection is very silhouette focused as I feel my biggest strength is pattern development and manipulation, so I tried to focus my skills as best as possible. I learned a lot of new skills over the past two years specifically how to adapt to working from home as I didn’t have access to college equipment, however, I feel like it has made me much more confident with my work as I got a lot less time with lectures to get advice leaving me to problem solve on my own and perfect my work.
Zoe Malley
Instagram: @zod.o
Future: BA (Hons) Fashion Design at Heriot Watt, September 2021
To be a part of a massive shift in an industry and to work at the forefront of it has been a fascinating experience. To work in a group environment online and adapting on how to work remotely throughout this year has motivated me and influenced my current collection which represents that change and how it can be a time to reflect on issues and positive experiences. I have used the skin as my main art source which can be used in a way to expand our knowledge of how we work as humans. Using basic paper and developing it further to discover how our skin can be imprinted to then having silhouettes to display light and shadow projected onto the body. I plan to continue studying and then go on and showcase a collection that is inclusive to everybody and to work alongside artists who share the same important values.
Niamh Cochrane
Instagram: @n.iamh.art
Future: BA (Hons) Fashion Design at Heriot Watt, September 2021
Niamh Cochrane ‘Stifled Sea’ is inspired by the current rapid destruction and pollution of our earth’s oceans from plastic materials and waste and its deadly and suffocating effect on its marine life. With the research of manipulation of plastic media and dangerously high figures of sea life suffocation, ‘Stifled Sea’ communicates the beauty of the ocean contrasted against the fascinatingly dangerous pollution our waste has, and how it is destroying our planet. My collection emerged from the current climate of working from home, leading me to experiment with my creative process and use more household-based materials which I may not have used when designing before. I spent most of my lockdown days manipulating plastic through crushing and melting methods and reviewing how it would stand on the body. I enjoy working abstractly, especially in the development process of my designs and pushing my media handling and technical ability which is visible in my final collection and is something I look forward to developing further through my university years.
