Jayd Cousins

Contact:
jaydcousins@gmail.com
University/School:
Birmingham City University
Location:
Birmingham
Specialism:
Accessory DesignAward NomineeFashion DesignIllustrationTextilesWomenswear
About Me

Hi I'm Jayd, a Fashion Design graduate from Birmingham City University

I am a womenswear designer, focusing on ready-to-wear pieces with intricate textile processes that tell a story through imagery and pattern. While my designs are feminine, a lot of my inspiration is sourced from masculine muses and style and I enjoy the challenge of interpreting traditionally masculine garments into those for the modern woman.

I am deeply inspired by people and the stories they hold, often watching documentary after documentary and pouring over endless library books as points of reference for my work. I love pinpointing small details about my muse and translating them into the defining details of my collections through textiles, silhouette and colours. I also really enjoy fashion illustration and have come into my own personal drawing style which mixes traditional hand-drawn pencil sketches with modernised digital illustration techniques.

INSPIRATION

"20th Century Toy" was inspired by the evolution of Marc Bolan both personally and sartorially.

My graduate collection was inspired by rock and roll legend Marc Bolan, who is a firm favourite in my family and was a constant style icon to my father-in-law back in the day. While Bolan was best known sartorially for his flamboyant and risqué fashion choices, the glam rock pioneer underwent various stages of evolution both in style, music and person before becoming the icon everyone is familiar with today.

In juxtaposition to my own developed design style, Bolan's style choices often took feminine garments and made them work for his masculine frame. Fashion aside, Bolan was also a talented musician and poet, with many of his works providing colourful and quirky imagery that just begged to be brought to life in a more tangible way.

MY WORK

PORTFOLIOS

DETAIL

"20th Century Toy" - Macramé

The predominant textile used throughout my collection is the art of macramé, which I have developed into garments and as decorative details. I have used slightly different variations of macramé patterns, taking inspiration from not only Bolan's style choices but also his song lyrics and little known collection of poems. Macramé is not a craft that is often associated with garment construction, but it was fun to push the boundaries and step away from using conventional materials in favour of something that was slightly more niche. I also interpreted other lyrics and poems into intricate hand beaded motifs that adorn beautiful navy velvet throughout my garments and tell the story of Marc Bolan the way he would want to be remembered. The random images are a talking point - in particular the beaded T-Rex - and strike interest in my concept despite it not being immediately obvious.

"The prospect of being immortal doesn’t excite me, but the prospect of being a materialistic idol for four years does appeal." - Marc Bolan
Accessory DesignAward NomineeFashion DesignIllustrationTextilesWomenswear
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners
Partners