About Me
Hi! I'm Katie, a womenswear designer from the University of Leeds.
I am a fashion design graduate specialising in womenswear. During my final year, I have focused on creating my own sustainable brand- POVEY. Incorporating traditional techniques such as patchwork, sashiko and visible mending into recycled textiles, it aims to reduce the climatic impact of the fashion industry.
I have always loved fashion but more specifically, pre-owned fashion. It could be the 80s gowns in my mum's wardrobe or the newest fashion trend that's already landed in a charity shop. The idea of making something new that is truly unique resonates with me and has influenced my design work. My dissertation focused on the rise and fall of Laura Ashley, the sudden collapse of a much-loved brand that was subsequently on the cusp of popularity once again through the 2020 trend 'cottage-core'. Taking inspiration from brands like Laura Ashley allows me to design nostalgic and wearable fashions.
INSPIRATION
The making of POVEY
Fast fashion, in my opinion, is one of the most important issues that has arisen during my lifetime. The abundance and accessibility is overwhelming detrimental to the planet. POVEY was inspired by my grandma, from her wartime experience she taught me to appreciate your clothes and the processes involved in making them. Sewer, knitter, and crocheter extraordinaire, she reused and recycled textiles/yarns to make new things and fix old ones.
I believe that the industry can adopt this ethos. It would encourage people to appreciate their belongings and encourage unique relationships with them as they can be recycled and repaired over the years. Inspired by the Oxbridge boat race, the POVEY 2022 collection depicts the acceptance and inclusion of women in the competition. Drawing on vintage regatta fashions, sporting uniforms and historic imagery, it consists of 24 outfits of which 2 were fully designed, toiled, made and photographed.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
TITLE
CONCEPT
BRAND
ETHOS
INITIAL IDEAS
DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT
24 OUTFIT COLLECTION
OUTFIT 1
OUTFIT 1
OUTFIT 2
OUTFIT 2
FINAL 2 OUTFITS
ILLUSTRATIONS
ILLUSTRATIONS
PHOTOSHOOT
PHOTOSHOOT
DETAIL
Both outfits in this project were made entirely from recycled textiles.
My collection of 24 outfits consists of two that are production-ready. Using repurposed textiles is difficult because making a garment is not straightforward. Fabrics need to undergo additional processes before they can be used with the layplans/ costing sheets and specification sheets reflecting this. One duvet cover, three pairs of trousers, eight shirts, one blazer, and three pairs of trousers were all refashioned to make the two outfits consisting of four garments. Using patchwork, dyeing, sashiko and different embroidery styles, these old pieces were made new. It was important to me that the outifts reflected the high price tag of POVEY so extra steps were taken to ensure the garments didn't just feel recycled. This meant binding seams and hems, topstitching details, aesthetic visible mending and the sourcing of quality fabrics.
"I DON'T THINK MANY OF US ARE NORMAL PEOPLE"-WES ANDERSON
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