Reflections from the designer

This collection was a design exploration into the environmental and societal damage caused by the effects of climate change, highlighting current issues directly impacting society worldwide.

This focused on environmental displacement affecting people globally and reflecting the potential dystopian, post-apocalyptic future that we will be forced to live in if the global leaders do not act now. All fabric used is 100% organic or upcycled, and any textile techniques used were focused on the most sustainable way of achieving the manipulation. All printed fabric was designed and made by me and all fabric dye and textile manipulation was done by my hand, using pomegranate seeds for natural food dyeing techniques, soy wax batik dyeing and hand distressing to reflect natural decay, erosion and deterioration.

The showcase event was not only a reflection of the sustainable and ethical issues within the fashion industry, alongside the climate crisis as a whole, but also a projection of the diversity issue within the industry. The runway represented diversity within age, race, size, sexuality, gender expression and identity. It was crucial when producing to showcase the diversity that has helped shape me as a designer and as a person.

Alongside this, the showcase doubled as a fundraiser for LGBT Unity, a Glasgow based charity who provides support to LGBT+ refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants in order to help support a local marginalised community within Scotland’s LGBT+ scene. This collection and my design ethos is queer to the core, and for my first showcase I wanted to spotlight queer identities that have influenced and inspired me throughout my life, and attempt to give back to the community that has defined me as a person.