About Me
Hello! I'm Cleo, a graduate designer from Anglia Ruskin University
My fashion aim is to spread sustainability awareness and create a conversation with my work. I use bright, vivid colours to project striking, innovative designs and garments. I specialise in womenswear designs, aiming to give my consumer confidence while wearing my pieces and up-cycling from secondhand garments to signify the importance of conscious design.
Growing up in London as a child, I was always fascinated by people's dress sense and the ways in which they expressed themselves through clothing. This stuck with me through my studies and I often found myself drawn to creative subjects in school. After completing my textiles A-Level, I decided to do an art and design foundation course to solidify my decision in fashion design and since went on to study Fashion Design as my chosen degree. Through this course, I found myself loving the design process and turning my 2D designs into 3D garments. For me, I knew this was my calling.
INSPIRATION
'Social Dystopia' delves into how social media can alter our perceptions of ourselves - good or bad.
This project focused on how the comments you get on social media can ultimately affect your mood or self-reflection of yourself. Taking inspiration from my social media, I selected comments I would get on my pictures and used them to spread a body-positive message in my final year collection. To showcase them, I took inspiration from Roy Lichtensteins pop art style and decided to showcase the 'comments' with a pop art style approach using heat transferable vinyls on my garments.
I was also inspired by 1990s Hip-hop streetwear and the oversized silhouettes from this movement. I wanted my intended consumer to feel shielded whilst wearing my garments to signify how we may protect ourselves from negative comments by covering up more to hide hidden insecurities. My collection is vivid and bright to reflect back positivity and features patchwork denim from secondhand jeans to show the importance of sustainability and make each piece unique - just like us!
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
'Social Dystopia' Collection Statement
'Social Dystopia' Shape/Line Board
'Social Dystopia' Illustration Line Up
'Social Dystopia' Technical Line Up
'Social Dystopia' Texture Board
Design Development Outfit 1
Design Realisation Outfit 1
Styled Photographs Outfit 1
Design Development Outfit 2
Design Realisation Outfit 2
Styled Photographs Outfit 2
'Social Dystopia' Technical Line Up B/W
Design Development Outfit 3
Design Realisation Outfit 3
Styled Images Outfit 3
Design Development Outfit 4
Design Realisation Outfit 4
Styled Images Outfit 4
DETAIL
Second Hand Patchwork Denim
When creating my own patchwork, its really about having fun and not overcomplicating it! I use a range of second hand denim jeans, deconstructing and cutting them up into squares, ready to sew together. I love the way you can see old jean details such as pocket placements, which again makes each garment unique. My hopes for my consumer is that they recognise secondhand doesn't always mean old and can become refreshing and exciting in new garments!
"Fashion is very important. It is life-enhancing and, like everything that gives pleasure, it is worth doing well.” —Vivienne Westwood
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