Modern Heritage

My graduate collection focuses on recycling and repurposing waste textiles from Scottish manufacturers acquiring materials from Harris Tweed Hebrides and Halley Stevensons. Inspired by the Scottish environment elements were drawn from natural growth and contrasting geometric structures. This project separates into 4 outcome collections. Refound Sophistication (tweed) and Reimagined Utility (waxed cotton) draw visual inspiration from local oil rigs in Dundee and their intertwining direction, whilst Refound Blue (tweed) and Refound Oatmeal (tweed) focus on protruding verdant undergrowth of the damp Scottish winter months. I layered felt, fabric and stitch in various outcomes to create tactile wearables. Receiving such luxurious materials was an honour, waxed cotton was a medium I was unfamiliar with however throughout this project my skills, specifically in sewing improved 10 fold along with patience and delicacy. Waxed cotton has a feeling soft to the touch and glides through a sewing machine with ease, using waxed cotton felt empowering as the manufacturer is 5 minutes down the road from the studio making it extremely local and viable for sustainable use. Prolonging the life of materials that otherwise are destines for landfill is my catalyst for future designs, to showcase the flexibility and durability of fabrics we consider as 'waste'. My work was exhibited in New Designers 2021 and is soon to be in Premier Vision London this year.