About Me
I'm Matthew, a Heriot Watt Graduate from the Orkney Islands
Working under the creative handle 'Ray-West', I have developed a standpoint grounded in the inherently sustainable nature of ‘Islandness’ and the influence it has on the personal value I place on materials.
My aspiration is to translate an essence of the Northern Island’s beauty and culture, having it sit inherently in the fibers of my design identity. The inevitable goal is to produce work that not only honors but also supports the environment and community that has been a recurring source of inspiration. In time, building on these ideas, my aim is to go beyond the native shorelines and take these perspectives to new realms.
INSPIRATION
Inspired by my own family mythologies, this project is a celebration of my island heritage.
Illustrating the story of the political rebel Vincentius Hawick, who fled the Sottish Borders to the Shetland Isles. Looking at how one man’s actions created a new family legacy. I borrowed from my own connections to these places to generate a feeling of nostalgia. Focused on fabrication, this collection finds common ground in the shared wool heritage and the importance of this industry to rural Scotland.
As people turn back to localism in a time of global uncertainty, it was important to me that this project communicated an impression of ‘Islandness’ from a local perspective and its fundamentally sustainable characteristics. Throughout history resources within islands have been limited, which has resulted in materials being given a higher value. Showcasing locally sourced materials, homegrown yarns, and found resources, this collection is a visual memoir that embodies what it means to be an islander.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
DETAIL
The Moorit Sheep by Ray-West
Compelled to find sustainable solutions through this project, I looked to local craft and my connections to nostalgic places to convey my design ideas. The materials were sourced from donated off cuts, bedsheets and recycling garments to give them a second life. While producing my fabrics at home, I used the technique of lino printing which added depth to my garments. Produced in collaboration with Jamieson’s of Shetland who supplied Shetland wool yarns, the knitwear was then made in both Shetland and the Scottish Borders. The other fabrics I purchased were either 100% Scottish or British wool which helped reduce the overall environmental impact of the collection. These garments were designed to be inclusive, finding inspiration in the comfort of my Granny Kit’s quilts while retaining stylish silhouettes. Each piece was designed with the desire that they would stay with the owner like a fond memory, reminiscent of a time when clothing was cared for and made to last for generations.
Finding new solutions in old traditions that create a circular design approach while pushing the boundaries of menswear
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