About Me
Hey, I'm Celia, a womenswear graduate from Edinburgh College of Art
My inspiration as a designer comes firstly from the beauty of the world around me and my desire for others to engage with the natural environment. Beautifully finished and considerate design are important to me, and I am always looking for new ways to incorporate innovative materials into my work.
The tensions between function and femininity is something I am drawn to exploring in a fashion context and I aspire to make work in which these can coexist. I am inspired by brands which are forward thinking and innovative, yet are not detached from the everyday woman. Purpose is important to me, both in the physical practicality of design, but also in the ethos of the brand itself. The industry has so much potential to drive social and environmental change, and this is at the heart of my own design practice.
INSPIRATION
Gardens are spaces in which there is a fascinating tension between the wild and the cultivated.
They are a meeting place of the organic with man-made structure. Beginning in my garden, I am inspired by the arts and crafts design and landscape architecture, the geometry in the flowerbeds and layout as well as the garden as a haven for organic nature. Gardens are a sort of natural metropolis, with sustained ecosystems, and a place for people to interact with the earth. This project explores embodied practices such as gardening, beekeeping, fruit picking and farming.
Inspired by women throughout horticultural history as well as female pioneers in organic farming, I reference work wear throughout my collection – emphasising traditional denim construction techniques and using robust, outdoor fabrics such as waxed cotton. Highlighting both functionality and femininity is core to my collection. Considerate choice of material and texture is also important in this project – I developed innovative knit and bamboo textiles with an emphasis on craftsmanship.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
the natural metropolis
garden research
historical research
lookbook
lookbook
DETAIL
I love the sound that the bamboo makes as the wearer moves.
My collection has a very earthy feel, and so I decided to shoot it in the Pentland Hills outside Edinburgh. The location reflects the beauty of the city in which I have produced this collection. It was a really exciting opportunity to work alongside and direct a team of creatives – photographer, videographer, art director, models etc. and to collaborate on a project. I really enjoyed seeing my graduate collection be brought to life and staging the garments in a natural setting solidified the story of the collection, highlighting the narrative of the women in horticultural history and emphasising the workwear aesthetic.
"The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway" - Michael Pollan
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