About Me
I'm Cleo, a Fashion Design graduate from Nottingham Trent University.
During my time at NTU as a fashion design student, I discovered my true passion for sportswear. My graduate collection Current Layer spotlights my interests in translating textures through intricate fabric manipulations and carefully selected fabrics and creative prints to serve bold, statement making athleisure wear.
My work is informed by my surroundings, personal interactions with clothing, trend forecasting, and the experiential dimensions of fashion. I also like to design with functionality and practicality in mind because it is essential for fashion meet our everyday needs. My goal as a designer is to create wearable, functional clothing that serves people from all walks of life and create fashion that is inclusive, accessible, and reflective of the diverse needs within our society.
INSPIRATION
My initial inspiration came from the shift in attitudes amongst young people towards physical health
During the aftermath of Covid-19, I noticed myself and others embracing the outdoors and recognising how even small amounts of exercise can significantly improve our wellbeing. This motivated me to create a layered/multi-styled look which reflects the growing popularity of athleisure whilst offering a functional aspect to protect users with curly and wavy hair types from frizz and hair breakage.
This idea was inspired by my mum, who wears a silk-lined beanie in winter to keep her head warm while preserving the texture of her curly hair. I saw potential to develop this concept further in the context of sportswear, where movement and friction are constant. Silk’s smooth surface allows hair to glide across the fabric, reducing breakage and preventing moisture loss. I incorporated a silk lining into the hood of the jacket and the accompanying snood to provide both functionality and hair protection.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
DETAIL
I created video to promote my sportswear collection in a way which portrays its ideas and aesthetics
With Current Layer, I wanted the photography and promotional video to create an energetic, active vibe and create something that really captured power, movement, and flow. I used a model with naturally curly hair to reflect my target audience and to highlight one of the core ideas behind the collection: combining style with functionality, especially when it comes to protecting textured hair. Shooting in a sports environment helped bring out the practicality of the pieces while staying true to the sporty feel of the brand. In the video, I used fast-paced edits and fluid shots to show how the garments move with the body. Overall, I wanted to connect with people who love fashion that looks good, feels good, and actually works for them.
“Style is wearing an evening dress to McDonald’s, wearing heels to play football. It is personality, confidence and seduction.” - John Galliano.
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