About Me
Connie Fletcher is a 2021 BA (hons) Fashion Design graduate from Leeds
Situated in the North of England, Connie’s work focuses on the incorporation of archival research and its importance in building a collection. Combining her love of vintage style with research into historic/artistic contexts whilst specialising in both mens and women wear. Connie aims to provide utilitarian options without compromising on aesthetics.
Connie's work also highlights the ways in which we express ourselves daily and how this differs according to likes, dislikes, values and beliefs - illustrating how our clothing communicates information about ourselves before we interact with one another. Having been actively going to local gigs since the age of 15, Connie believes that the crossover between fashion and underground music scenes is especially notable and something she wanted to investigate in depth. This resulted in a fascination with youth subcultures and how they have been developed through a shared love of music and fashion.
INSPIRATION
The vision for this work began after my grandpa kindly lent me his carefully curated photo albums.
‘Maybe I'm just like my Mother’ explores themes of both personal and shared identity paying particular attention to youth subcultures from 20th century Britain. This body of work analyses the ways in which we share our identities amongst chosen groups of like minded individuals and how fashion can unite us. Using an archive of family photos combined with research from the Youth Culture Museum, this final project attempts to revive past fashions in the present with a contemporary and playful twist.
Looking through family photos and delving into our heritage can help to strengthen our identities and build on our sense of self. Hoping to create narrative in her work, this project tells her own and her family's story. Mimicking feelings of nostalgia and the emotions that come with it, this collection puts a fresh spin on dated but once loved style. After seeing how my Grandpas life had been mapped out across paper, I wanted to replicate this by putting my own identity onto fabric to honour my roots.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
Research into Subcultures - Northern Soul // FMP
Research into Subcultures - Punk // FMP
Colour Concept Board // FMP
Fabric Concept Board // FMP
Design Development // FMP
Design Development // FMP
Toile Development // FMP
Toile Development // FMP
Press Outfit Specification // FMP
Line Up Specification (2nd Outfits) // FMP
Final Line Up // FMP
Range Plan // FMP
Press Outfit - Photos by Sophie Jouvenaar // FMP
Research into Life at Sea // BFC X British Library
Research into Life at Sea // BFC X British Library
Design Development // BFC X British Library
Design Development // BFC X British Library
Final Line Up // BFC X British Library
Technical Specification // BFC X British Library
DETAIL
I used different methods of digital print to create a collage like appearance on my 'identity' shirt
The purpose of this was to replicate the DIY nature favoured amongst the Punk movement in the 1970s. The menswear shirt features 3 different fabrics that vary in lightness to help create depth and to avoid washing out any subtle details such as the patch pockets across the chest and left sleeve. The shirt also features a collaged disperse print, on the back yoke and right upper sleeve panel, using old family photographs to link back to my initial research. My A-line trench coat was developed to have very subtle details using panel manipulation, the bodice itself is made up of 3 panels and a yoke. The coat also features an oversized, exaggerated collar and a round edged storm flap at the front and back. Lastly, the coat is embellished with both shoulder and cuff epaulettes and large utilitarian cargo pockets. Finally, these garments have been paired with wide leg, lime green trousers with oversized pleats at the waistband. The breathability and silhouette for these was inspired by the northern soul scene.
Connie's work aims to revive past fashions in the present with a contemporary twist. Playful in her approach, the purpose is to create narrative and tell the story of her own and her families identity
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