About Me
I’m Anna, an innovative designer obsessed with garment narrative!
My fascination with hand-me-down clothing and transitional objects motivates me to design garments which encourage emotional connections with their wearer. My research has taught me that heritage stories and ease of personalisation can help to build these bonds and that emotional attachment to clothing leads to better aftercare and extended garment life.
I explore innovative pattern cutting and adaptability in my work to create unique clothing which wearers are encouraged to keep, mend and hand down. I also like to use traditional fastening techniques to ensure easy replacement or repair and have put together plenty of mending tutorials on my website to give everyone the opportunity to learn. My designs are primarily high-end but I aim to keep prices as low as possible for the sector to allow more consumers access to quality, durable clothing.
INSPIRATION
Inspiration came from the Incroyables et Merveilleuses, André Derain’s paintings and baby blankets
My main source of inspiration is the Incroyables et Merveilleuses, a French sub-culture from the 18th century which came about as a result of political turmoil after the first revolution and was characterised by very particular extravagant fashion. I drew parallels between this and the current global unrest which has fostered a demand for fun, unique and comfortable clothing. This resulted in the creation of a colourful collection of modular and adaptable garments.
I drew further inspiration from André Derain’s pre-war paintings, which express a sense of optimism in their bright colours. I wanted to bring a similar emotion into my work so developed a print design from this research, which I printed using potatoes. I also researched the concept of baby blankets and asked how we can bring a similar feeling of security to our clothing. I sourced old blankets to dye and use in my collection, hoping that they can provide some much-needed comfort.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
The two manufactured outfits from the collection
Thorough conceptual research shaped my designs
What do we need from fashion in a time of unrest?
Bright colours and abstract shapes provide joy
Draping and fabric manipulation form unique shapes
Creating lightweight volume with gathers
Swing tags link to detailed repair tutorials
Garments can be layered and interchanged
Outfit 1: ruched dress with collared jacket
Gathered double pockets are fun but functional
The bottom layer of the dress is removable
Fully reversible garments increase versatility
One outfit can be worn so many ways
Outfit 2: maxi dress with underdress and jacket
Baby blankets are given new life as the underdress
The jacket is made up of gathered segments
Reversed, checked fabrics hint at heritage
Mix and match garments from outfit 2
Oversized patterned gloves add the finishing touch
DETAIL
I never anticipated potato printing fabric in my final year but the result is unexpectedly beautiful
From my research I pulled elements such as pleats and ruching - inspired by 18th century French clothing - as well as spheres inspired by the red beaded necklaces which the Merveilleuses wore as a reminder of the guillotine executions. Knowing that fun colours and prints were essential to my brief, I selected six bright fabrics with low environmental impact, as well as the upcycled crocheted blankets. From the blankets, I manufactured a dress and the hats inspired by baby bonnets. The checked fabric is a nod to my Scottish background and the family ties which tartan symbolises, while the abstract print comes from my research into Derain’s work. My plan had been to sublimation print this pattern, but as I learnt that I would be making my entire collection in my bedroom, I had to find an alternative. I hadn’t practiced potato printing since nursery, but weeks of experimentation and sixteen hours of printing later, I had a beautiful handmade print, whose imperfections add so much character to my collection.
"In a post-pandemic world, clothing must provide a much-needed sense of joy and comfort while meeting sustainable and ethical goals."
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