The clothing should speak for itself.
The only aim is to create wearable, and desirable clothing, using only beautiful, entirely organic and sustainably sourced materials.
The current working collection is entitled “Mottainai” A Japanese word, roughly translating to “What a waste” emphasizing a sense of regret when potential is lost, and encouraging a mindfulness in regards to finite resources It encourages seeing beauty and value in objects that can be repaired, repurposed, or given new life, as seen in kintsugi.
I chose this title as I have an appreciation for the old and the worn. Clothing, to be important, must speak to you and communicate its presence, and eventually become a part of you. This is what I believe is the connection between clothing and art, when its able to express its own point of view devoid from its application as product. Polish and newness to me, can be the absence of this. I hate things polished, clothing must be rugged, expressing to you its life, its stains, blemishes, inconsistencies and faults. It becomes an extension of the self, it feels as if it becomes as human as the person wearing
it. I find no beauty in perfection. I find beauty in handcraft, in textures, tears and how despite these faults the counterpart to the clothing may still wear and repair it. To see the element of humanity in the creation of clothing to me is the ultimate form of beauty in fashion.
I encourage you to destroy my clothes with wear.
For me, fabric always comes first, in this collection it is certainly the most important aspect in terms of design. Every fabric is sourced individually and the garments are designed to utilise the beauty of the materials in particular ways. For this collection, every single piece of fabric was sustainably sourced and is entirely organic. There is also no interfacing used in the collection, as I believe it would detract from the natural beauty of the materials.
Horsehair canvas was used atypically, such as waistbands in trousers, or in pocket vents to give necessary structure. However, the natural lightness of a lot of these fabrics was what drew me to them originally. For me, the highlight of the collection’s fabrication was the antique, handwoven Japanese kimono fabrics. the stunning stains, fading and wear on these pieces, gave new life to my tailoring.
I want to push this element of craft and ‘seeing the artist’s brush’ in my work. Every piece available contains extensive handwork, linings, buttonholes, facings, even garments are entirely handsewn. There is an intense beauty in the fragility of the process, and the delicacy of it, I feel elevates the importance of the found textiles, the time it takes in creation is in an invaluable currency.