About Me
Hi! I’m Leah, a Fashion Design graduate from Nottingham Trent Uni.
I specialise in Womenswear yet enjoy experimenting and developing my knowledge in other areas, also venturing into textile design with my hand-embroidery. I am a passionate, outgoing individual- I love all aspects of fashion design from the 2D creative process to the hands-on pattern cutting and manufacturing.
I love to experiment with and get involved in other creative areas- a big passion of mine is styling; this is something I would like to take on further. While at university I won the Wallis 2023 competition, which entailed me designing an A/W collection. I worked alongside the team to develop designs, create technical drawings, source fabric, and communicate with manufacturers which developed my knowledge of this industry. I was also nominated for Nottingham’s fashion and textile Young Creative Award. After graduating I will be living in London and taking whatever opportunities arise.
INSPIRATION
My initial Inspiration began with exploring the sexist concept of Power Dressing.
My final project is centred around power-dressing, a concept I believe to be outdated and sexist as dressing in masculine garments is wrongly associated with being powerful. Instead, my collection emphasizes the power of femininity and redefines power-dressing through adapting the suit and pairing tailoring with unconventional aspects like lingerie. Hand-embroidery features throughout this collection as I aimed to celebrate and reintroduce this traditional, feminine craft.
This is a relevant topic as even now there is injustice towards women in the workplace. I looked at the ‘housewife’ and how it was considered the man’s duty to work resulting in hand-embroidery being a popular past time, a craft I incorporated within my collection. Through fashion I wanted to redefine power-dressing. Creating a collection which empowers women instead of constraining them and which celebrates the female figure and everything feminine.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
Pages from my Final Portfolio
Concept Research
Concept Research
Concept Research
Design Development
Design Development
Design Development
Hand-Embroidery Development
Final Collection- Illustrated by Me
Outfit Breakdowns
Outfit Breakdowns
Outfit Breakdowns
Outfit Breakdowns
Outfit Breakdowns
Outfit Breakdowns
Styling Lookbook
Final Photoshoot- Photographer: Yiu Kwok Wong
DETAIL
I designed and created my own hand-embroidery and proceeded to direct and style a photoshoot.
I enjoy learning new crafts, experimenting with, and learning about new areas to continuously developing my knowledge. Within my final year I became interested in embroidery- this is something I taught myself and with continuous practise I was able to include it within my final collection. From my research into the housewife I came across hand-embroidery, a popular past time for women who did not work. I experimented and created designs based of my research as I wanted to celebrate this craft, which is a big part of female history, within my collection. I created embellished applique designs, using a range of glass beads I had sourced online and once finished I stitched these onto my garments. To showcase my work I wanted to direct and style my own photoshoot so I could effectively translate the meaning behind my garments. I envisioned an office setting, so I scouted out an area, styled the scene as I wished and sourced a photographer who understood my vision- acting as a director throughout the process.
‘When Powerful Woman Start Using Glamour and Style Things Usually End in Tears’- Simon Doonan, Creative director of Barneys New York, in Power Dressing: First Ladies, Women Politicians & Fashion.
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