Jayne Pierson LFW Coverage for Cold Magazine

Witchcraft, Covens and Leather: Jayne Pierson on the power of collectives in ‘Annwn’ Structured corsets, dramatic puffy sleeves and rich leather textures; Jayne Pierson’s SS25 collection, Annwn, is a journey into Welsh mythology, the supernatural, and the resilience of women throughout history. Inspired by the Celtic otherworld, Annwn is rooted in themes of rebirth and empowerment. At the core of the collection is an exploration of the persecution of women as witches during the Middle Ages, a dark chapter of European history that saw hundreds of thousands condemned for their wisdom and independence. In Wales, however, only a handful suffered this fate, a testament to a culture that valued, and perhaps still values, the knowledge and power of women. Jayne Pierson, an award-winning designer based in West Wales, is known for her sustainable and bespoke approach and creates designs that bridge the past and present – with her collections, she reimagines the ancient wisdom of herbalists, healers, and midwives, transforming their stories into garments worn by consumers today. Drawing deeply from her cultural history, her work transcends fashion and becomes a form of storytelling. Presented at the Adnaz Hotel, the Annwn collection brought these themes to life, blending contemporary silhouettes with historic references, juxtaposing structured leather with flowing fabrics. Leather clearly dominated the catwalk, appearing in dresses, jackets, coats and gloves. Shearling and sheer fabrics seemed to balance the leather’s rigidity, exemplifying the satisfying harmony of opposites that Pierson seems to so easily master. Puffy sleeves, corseted waistlines and high collars, reminiscent of 17th-century silhouettes, were paired with a dark palette consisting mainly of black, navy and purple, accented by metallics and lighter neutrals. Backstage after the show, I had a chance to speak to Jayne about her collection and the inspiration behind it. Read the full interview on The Cold Magazine: https://thecoldmagazine.co.uk/witchcraft-covens-and-leather-jayne-pierson-on-the-power-of-collectives-in-annwn/