unMask Magazine by Amy Bishop Design

JAN 15

For the Fashion Buyer January 2015, Issue 1

unMask: Surname Issue 1 Forename

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“ I dream my painting and I paint my dream”… - Vincent Van Gogh

elcome to the First Edition of unMask, the magazine that aims to put dreams into print. At unMask we look for those who dream about fashion. Whether they are day dreamers, realistic dreamers, unMask looks to find those dreams and make them real. At unMask, we recognise the obvious: that fashion is an Art, it’s not a Science. Fashion, therefore, can’t be “wrong”. It can be liked or disliked. The elegant handbag, the one you would scrimp and save for, might not be liked by all. The beauty, or otherwise, is in the eye of the beholder. This is where unMask comes into play. unMask is non-judgemental. This First Edition does not seek to separate good design from bad design, it seeks to be the dream for many young and unheralded designers. unMask serves to showcase new talent and recent graduates, and open the doors of industry to the dreams of budding fashion designer talent. As Founder of unMask, my dream was to help other peoples’ wishes become true. The public see a glamorous industry, but breaking into that industry is a tough ask. Dreams get shattered on a regular basis. unMask seeks to become the first step in the long and arduous journey to designer success. Designers want their work to be seen, and to be seen as part of a large

Editor’s Letter

and extravagant world of fashion design. In this First Edition “The Dream”, we give 20 designers the showcase into the world of fashion buyers. Our thinking at unMask is to keep things both simple and elegant. By keeping the unMask design “simple”, we aim to allow more focus on the actual contributions from designers. unMask is the canvas, the designers contribution is the painting. We therefore look to our contributors for design elegance. Many will agree that some of our designers are already showing seeds of design greatness; dreams and reality will appear very close for some. For every reader who takes this view, unMask achieves its goal. I hope that this issue “The Dream” is the first of many. We are planning a Quarterly distribution cycle. We aim to be on the main desks of the fashion buying industry in the world of beauty and fashion. unMask’s first issue contributors were all highly supportive of this First Edition because they see the opportunity as unique. We hope you find our First Edition as unique and I hope you have as much fun reading this as I enjoyed whilst putting this together.

Amy Bishop Founder and Editor unMask Magazine

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Contents

Romina Barile

Shammin Begum

Camille Bennett

India Blanchard

Selina Bond

Hannah Colledge

Laura Dark

Benedicte Fjeldberg

Anna Gregson

Emma Iveson

Elizabeth John

Karolina Laskowska

Stephanie Raeburn

Rosa Silva

Emily Storer

Laura Taylor

Mia Vannelli

InĂŠs Arconada Vazquez

103

Stacey Warner

109

Laura Zammit

115

Romina Barile

omina Barile is a textile designer with a main interest in embroidery and embellishment - influenced highly by beaded fashion and accessories. Having specialised in Multi-Media Textiles her designs encompass the manipulation of unusual materials and fabrics that are explored with techniques that aim to enhance surfaces with pleasing aesthetics and detailed textures. Rominaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s graduate project was inspired by the organic growth of mineral and crystal formations. She was particularly influenced by the variety of rocks in the Natural History and Science Museums in London. Their clustered and blocky surfaces inspired a range of paper and material samples that displayed form, scale and compositions of uneven and organic textures. Ironically the structures of these minerals also portrayed aspects of what almost regimented/manmade characteristics which were set between areas of intense and detailed fragments. These types of textures and surfaces became the main motivation for the use of sharp and blocky elements that were combined against smaller and more delicate areas. Haute couture and catwalk fashion were major influences in the development of Rominaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work. Designers such as On Aura Tout Vu, Iris Van Herpen

Romina Barile

and The Blonds are just three examples that collectively present extravagant and overthe-top highly embellished designs. Rominaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly embellished final outcomes aimed to recapture the raw preciousness and natural beauty of these natural elements by reinterpreting their shapes, structures and surface textures. These were translated through the use of innovative and uncommon materials such as laser cut acrylic Perspex and mirror Perspex (which were also hand dyed to the colour palette), as well as laser etch (to enhance the effect of broken and shattered surfaces). With a combination of beautiful beads and metallic wiring (all hand stitched and crafted), this final collection aimed to provoke a three-dimensional reality of the organic and natural subjects translated into chunky and dramatic embellishments that could be appreciated as growing forms on the human body as accessories or body art pieces. Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Fluid. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Reflective, colourful, textured, enchanting, feminine.

Romina Barile

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All Images Photographer Romina Barile Stylist Romina Barile Model Megan Phipps

Romina Barile

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Shammin Begum

hammin Begum is a 23 year old fashion and design graduate. She is currently working as a freelance designer and print designer for an online retailer. Shammin is also interning for a high-end designer called Hermione De Paula as a womenswear graphic print designer. Additionally, she is also interning for Bside-by Wale as a production assistant. Shamminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s graduate collection is based on the Illuminati conspiracy theory. In other words, based on people who hold a lot of power. The elite. These include people of the government, police, celebrities and artists, for example. Her focal point is the music industry. Shammin mainly looked at music videos that showed subliminal messages, that are hidden symbols which have a meaning behind them. Her work included looking at artists such Kanye West, Beyonce and Jay-Z within her prints. Additionally, she used animals that show messages such as lions and zebras. When observing Shamminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garments each print

Shammin Begum

is individually designed to symbolise a message from the Illuminati conspiracy. Shammin used quite a lot of fabrics, denim being the base for this collection. She then bonded fabrics together on top to create a fabric; a silver fabric, tiled sequinned fabric, holographic fabric and jersey fabric. Eyelets used within the collection were the core structure to all the garments as this was the vital element that kept the designs together. Shammin wants to specialise in womenswear print and wants to become a graphic print designer for womenswear and menswear, and would eventually look into starting her own label. But its early days yet! Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Bold. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Loud, bright and enthusiastic.

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Shammin Begum

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Shammin Begum

Camille Bennett

ightwear and lingerie designer Camille Bennett graduated from The Arts University Bournemouth in 2014 with a BA Hons in Fashion Design and Technology. She was lucky enough to be selected to showcase her portfolio at Graduate Fashion Week, and has recently had her work published in Jute and Dreamingless magazine. A self-confessed lingerie obsessive, Camille is always keen to add a touch of provocation into her designs. Due to recent happenings in her personal life Camille decided to research issues surrounding mental health, and in particular, schizophrenia. Inspired by this research she based both final year projects on this concept, developing it into her pre-collection ‘My manic and I’ and her final collection ‘Hybrid’. The collection Camille wants to showcase is ‘Hybrid’. It uses inspiration from common hallucinations to create unique prints and fabrics. Sports wear was another major influence for this collection; Camille teamed luxury silks with traditional sportswear styles to create a one-of-a-kind collection.

Camille Bennett

Being passionate about lingerie, Camille always tries to use materials that would usually be seen in nightwear or lingerie. With a love of luxurious fabrics such as silks, chiffons, and leather, she manages to find away to put these in almost all of her designs. She also has a love of colour and loud prints, and struggles to work with only black and white.   Now working in retail, Camille is interested in gaining as much experience as possible and aims to work her way up into luxury retail, ideally working in styling, personal shopping or visual merchandising for luxurious lingerie or nightwear boutiques. Still passionate about design she wants to create her own business in the selling of hand-made nightwear and lingerie. With hopes to travel to gain yet more experience and inspiration in the near future, Camille is never far from embarking on her next adventure.   Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Controversial. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Luxurious, feminine and provocative.

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All Images Photography Oda Eide MUA Jessica Hutchings and Samantha Hutchings Model Emma Townsend

Camille Bennett

India Blanchard

ndia Blanchard graduated from De Montfort University in the summer of 2014 with a degree in Fashion Design. She currently lives and runs her fashion label, The Copenhagener, from a town just outside of Leicester. India’s graduate collection called 'The Copenhagener' was intended to be an Autumn/Winter collection and is full of pieces made from gorgeous wools sourced from Denmark. The inspiration for the collection came from the Danish Modern design movement that was popular in the 60's and 70's. She used the colours and the lines of the furniture to influence the shapes and the types of textiles within her designs. The idea was to make the clothing look as awkward as possible, as if the model was actually wearing furniture. The main textiles used for the collection were sheepskin, rabbit fur, lamb nappa leather and a selection of wool jerseys.

India Blanchard

India is currently in the process of launching her own label ‘The Copenhagener’. The concept behind the label expands on the ideas behind her graduate collection and will be influenced by scandinavian life, style and design. She is currently making and shooting her Autumn/Winter collection, which is currently available, and working on the research and starting ideas for her Spring/Summer Collection which hopefully will be available from April next year. www.thecopenhagener.co.uk Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Uncomplicated. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Effortless Scandinavian minimalism.

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India Blanchard

All Images Photographer Michael Ilori Stylist India Blanchard Model Georgie Riot

India Blanchard

Selina Bond

elina Bond is a passionate, creative and focused individual, who has always been interested in intimate appeal. From school she went on to study Contour Fashion at De Montfort University, graduating in 2014. Completing her final year, Selina was selected as a finalist in a client project for Miraclesuit and has had her experimental carbon fibre work displayed at MODA and featured in Underlines magazine. Selina’s final collection opened the Contour Fashion show at London Graduate Fashion Week, where it was pre-selected for the Graduate Fashion Week Awards Show and was later featured in Vogue. Selina’s initial inspiration for her Autumn/Winter 2015 “Bella Suora” collection was the catacombs of San Gennaro in Naploi - Italy. She was amazed by the love and embellishment that the widows and nuns gave to the skulls, of once loved ones. Selina then went on to look into Italian widows and nuns in more detail. She was inspired by the use of lace the widows wear, and the structured nun hats. She wanted to combine the two

Selina Bond

and create luxurious lingerie with unique contoured structural pieces. The materials used for the collection are very unexpected pairings. Selina wanted to bring two very different fabrics together - Carbon fibre, to craft the structural contoured pieces and Lace to create elegant lingerie. She constructed all the carbon fibre pieces by hand using Polyester Resin and a mannequin for the mould of the contoured pieces. She also had to create some moulds by hand using Styrofoam. Selina also thinks the two materials combined create very striking and unique pieces of lingerie. Selina has just been awarded the Christopherson Award for excellence in creativity and design. She is currently working as a design assistant at H&M in Stockholm, Sweden. Describe yourself as a designer using one word. .Bold. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Dramatic, innovative and seductive.

Selina Bond

All Images Photographer Jason Senior MUA Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Oreal

Selina Bond

Hannah Colledge

annah Colledge is a recent graduate from De Montfort University with a BA Hons in Fashion Design and specialised in Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Knitwear. Her designs were inspired by the art form of Glitch photography looking at artists and photographers such as Chad Wys, Allison Diaz and Kim Asendorf. Looking at the movement in the imagery/art and the flashes of colour created, Hannah wanted to mimic this in the patterns in the knitwear and silhouettes. In the silhouettes she experimented with draping, gathering and layering sheer knits, to create distortion and blurred effects. Within the fabric, Hannah tried to create even more textures and patterns, by using fairisle patterns, sheer yarns, and striping, to make an illusion of a broken image. She wanted to use lurex within the knitting to create a shine when light hits the garments and mix this in with the nylon sheer areas, which created very fine fabric to drape, twist and gather around the body. Hannah also used these to layer on top of each other to

Hannah Colledge

create more distortion within the silhouette. The contrast to this in the fabrics was the heavier jacquards, which created glitched patterns in with broken stripes and also with textured stripes. Hannah has always been open to working within high-end or high-street fashion and would love to gain experience in both, in a knitwear department for men or women. She is currently working in a high street store and gaining experience in menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s knitwear and the business side of the industry. Hannah thinks it is great to be a part of the industry and cannot wait to develop her skills and use them in different companies, may that be higher fashion or continuing in high-street fashion. Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Conceptual. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Delicate deconstruction and distortion.

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All Images Photographer Jason Senior Models Ella, Oxana, Hazel, Hannah, Georgia and Maddie

Hannah Colledge

Laura Dark

aura Dark is a nostalgic menswear designer based in London, UK. Her passion for creating contemporary design using historical narratives comes from her initial muse, her grandfather, in the early onset of her career. Whilst experimenting with exciting fabrication and print she uses a multi-sensory design process with particular attention to touch. Laura Dark, as a brand, believes in the finer details of design appealing to a male market that appreciates quality and craftsmanship. “How happy is the blameless vestal’s lot! The world forgetting, by the world forgot. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! Each pray’r accepted, and each wish resign’d;” Alexander Pope, “Eloisa to Abelard” This project explores the idea of a “Spotless Mind” and your minds control over your memories, thoughts and emotions. As humans we blissfully disregard the decisions our subconscious mind makes for us on a daily basis. The mind is constantly segregated into categories of good, bad, useless and important. How does the mind decipher which information to retain and dispose of? Is this part of an infinite quest to create a spotless mind? With this in mind it is unclear as to why the mind

Laura Dark

chooses to hold onto certain memories over others that causes us as humans to dwell on the past and overlook the finer details of everyday life. It also explores the minds process when asked to produce a time capsule and explore the memories that are selected, the objects chosen to represent this and why does the mind show a true representation of self or rather a fictional version that has been romanticised. The main body of research is heavily based around the Willard Suitcases found in the attic of the late mental asylum in New York. Each suitcase belonged to a patient who was asked to spontaneously pack up their lives into one suitcase, not knowing where they were going and for how long. The objects inside the suitcases are fascinating and area true representation of a time capsule. There is also reference to the Andy Warhol time capsules that he created for every year of his working life recording his work and inspiration during his time as an artist. Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Nostalgic. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Contemporary tailoring design.

Laura Dark

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All Images Photographer Delia Trumpetter Stylist Laura Dark Models Semyon, Yasin, Paul and Frederick

Laura Dark

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Benedicte Fjeldberg

enedicte Fjeldberg is a Norwegian fashion designer based in Oslo. She recently graduated from Fashion Studies at the Arts University Bournemouth. Her designs often speak of her interests in human psychology and our interactions between each other. There is also that element of design influence springing from the Nordic climate and a love for travelling. Expressing moods of the cold winter and the dark forests of the north, to the wandering of the bright and narrow streets of Kyoto. Benedicte wishes to design clothes that have more values than just being aesthetically pleasing. She wants to focus on artisanship and ethical principles, to create clothes that will last, and are environmentally friendly as much as possible. She believes that there is something interesting in the intersection between the practical product and a piece with an artistic purpose. Clothes that are not just worn once and thrown away, but bought as an investment, because it has caught the interest somehow. As designers, we should not lose track of the purpose of the garments we create, and the consequence its production and use has. Her projects often end up having a darker edge, with a concept delving deep

Benedicte Fjeldberg

into psychology and society and with a subdued colour pallet. Even though she adores colour! Perhaps She finds the darker moods of people to be inspirational. Her final major project, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Now we are Always Driftingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; focuses on textile manipulation. Benedicte made seven dresses in white, black and grey. She studied pleating techniques and ways to manipulate pleats in an interesting way to create volume. She also experimented with chiffon and organza to create shapes. All along, it was important to her to keep a silhouette that was still flattering and had a simple elegance. She wanted to create a textile illusion of a life vest, and a feeling of drowning, or to be pulled down, using heavy textiles and drapes. The materials used for this project were jersey, viscose and silk chiffon. The dresses vary between heavy draped and easy to shape, to flowing and a flux impression. Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Multifaceted. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? To feel a weightless heaviness.

Benedicte Fjeldberg

Left Photographer Wictoria Nordgaard Above Drape and Pleat experimenting

Benedicte Fjeldberg

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Photographer Wictoria Nordgaard

Benedicte Fjeldberg

Anna Gregson

nna Gregson is a recent Fashion Design graduate from De Montfort University. Throughout her course she specialised in Womanswear soft tailoring, an area where her passion for cut and fabricating comes from. Annaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Graduate Collection evolved from her chosen concept, 'Illusion and Perspective'. She wanted to juxtapose traditional tailoring with unusual fabrics and elements of sports-luxe garments such as a bra-let, something which reappears throughout her collection. Throughout Annaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s design collection, particularly in the outer pieces, unusual fastenings and placement can be found. Amongst beautiful wool crepes she has used modern synthetics such as embossed PVC and coated cotton. The colour palette is a mixture of fresh whites and pastel tones juxtaposed with colour pops of zesty lime, dulled with layers of translucent sheers. Outfit 1 is a cocoon style jacket with pleats and asymmetric lapel. It is created from an open weave fabric in blue/grey.

Anna Gregson

The undergarment is a column, floor length dress with a high slash neckline and central box pleat running through the length. It is made from coated cotton and Anna graduated and dip-dyed it from the bottom a zesty yellow tone. The third piece of the outfit is a holographic bra-let. It has a racer back detail and is made from a holographic double jersey. Anna aspires to continue pursuing her career in fashion and hopes that after a few years experience within industry, to complete a Masters in Womanswear in the aim of hopefully owning her own successful brand. www.annaelizabethgregson.co.uk Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Uncomplicated. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? A juxtapostion of traditional tailoring.

Anna Gregson

All Images Photographer Eden Morse Model Helena Megson Stylist Anna Gregson

Anna Gregson

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Anna Gregson

Emma Iveson

he collection ‘Uplifted - Mind and Body’ has been developed to fill a specified niche for a younger market of 16-30. It aims to develope supportive soft bras for large cup sizes and small back sizes, in the form of a hybrid collection that can be worn as lingerie or swimwear, widening the market potential. The collection has been created to represent a way of life. Emma’s collection is inspired by the Holi festival. A celebration of life, love, frolic and colour, where people gather to sing and dance, play and laugh and repair ruptured relationships. Recreating the Holi festival as an art performance derived unique and abstract prints flooding the collection with positivity and empowerment, uplifting the body and mind with striking design and new technical progressions. An inspiration chosen as it coincides with a young market having a love for everyday life. Emma is a contour fashion graduate from De Montfort University and is currently working at F&F as an assistant garment technologist but wants to start her own label using the designs and brand identity from her final major project.

Emma Iveson

Emma’s brand idea is creating niche, hybrid lingerie and swimwear garments consisting of soft, non-wired bras with technical developments for the utmost support and comfort. Believing that comfort will not be compromised when discovering the world of adventure, vibrancy and fun, designs. She has created a brand where women can select one-of-a-kind prints and the most flattering, on trend designs… Their own little bit of perfection. Inspiration embraced by the designer, with a thirst for the excitement of living a life full of adrenaline, love and liberation. Oneoff art performances focusing on these values create the unique prints that will leave all who see it, wanting a bit! Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Challenging. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Empowering, innovative and eyecatching.

Emma Iveson

Catwalk Photographer Jason Senior MUA Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Oreal

Emma Iveson

Right - Peformance Art Photographer Jorge Uriza

Emma Iveson

Elizabeth John

lizabeth John is a fashion and accessory designer who is currently pursuing an MA in Fashion Accessory Design at Birmingham City University. She has undertaken a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion and Apparel Design from India. Elizabeth always dreamed of becoming a designer from the age of 9, which shows us how determined, focused and passionate she is about this field. Thus undergoing 4 years of Fine Arts during her schooling to shape her sketching skills along with winning several laurels in the field of art and fashion, and being featured in various articles in newspapers, shows that she offers a bag full of talent and creativity. Elizabeth started the brand Ellior Swan with this collection. She wants it not only to be seen as a brand, but as an identity. It should allow women to feel independent and driven, yet elegant and poised all in one. Additionally, Elizabeth started two fashion accessory brand of her own one titled Cling-a-Ling with the theme “Passion for budget Fashion”, the other titled “Kiss&Tel”. These were seen featured in various flea markets in and around Bangalore, India. The variety of accessories which these brands offer are scarves, chains, bracelets, necklaces and earrings. As an aspiring designer Elizabeth John loves to obtain her inspiration from various Elizabeth John

trips and expeditions to lands both near and far. A combination of personal experience and beliefs clearly epitomises her style. She likes to incorporate a very bold, chic factor to her designs, coupled with hints of femininity, dominance and independence. This collection titled - Tabgha Spring/ Summer 2014 is inspired by the mosaic tile crafted at the location, Tabgha in Galilee in The Holy Land (Israel). Here the Miracle of the Multiplication of the Five Loaves and Two Fish took place. The silhouettes are inspired by the various miracles Jesus performed. The accessories are inspired by the motif of the cross and the chandeliers observed in various churches. Tabgha is an Indo-Western wear collection for Spring/Summer 2014 with the imagery of a modern day Indian business woman who is trying to balance her corporate and social life. The colours used in this collection are sky blue, royal blue, sun yellow, black and gold which are the colours seen in the mosaic tile art itself. Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Visionary. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Minimalistic with androgynous twist. 62

Single Model Images Photographer Divya Raveendran Hair and MUA Jessica Peacock Models as Seen Sangeetha Paul, Roshni Ramane and Varsha Gopal

Elizabeth John

Image Above Photographer Divya Raveendran Hair and MUA Jessica Peacock

Elizabeth John

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Elizabeth John

Karolina Laskowska

arolina Laskowska graduated from De Montfort University’s prestigious Contour Fashion course in the Summer of 2014, having been selected to show her collection at Graduate Fashion Week. She begun making lingerie in early 2011. Karolina then found that the interest and demand for her designs become greater and greater, until it seemed the only sensible thing to do was to start her own brand. She is a self-confessed lingerie fanatic and probably has more bras than you do. Karolina is also a columnist for The Lingerie Addict, the world’s biggest lingerie blog. Karolina Laskowska is a niche lingerie brand. It creates luxury, sophisticated garments with a cheeky erotic twist and a sense of fun. Drawing inspiration from the world of fetish and contrasting it with sophisticated feminine accents and materials, this is lingerie for the modern and fashion-forward woman. The most recent collections focus on showcasing exquisite and rare artisanal textiles, from vintage kimono silks to antique Victorian Chantilly laces. Upcycling gives these beautiful fabrics a stunning new lease of life. Due to the limited quantities of these materials, many designs are strictly limited edition - once they’re gone they are impossible to recreate! Alongside her ‘Classic’ strapping based garments and

Karolina Laskowska

limited edition sets. Karolina also offers a Bespoke service for hard-to-find sizes and more intricate styles. The Autumn/Winter collection was one of two parts. The first focusing on exquisite French couture chantilly laces, the second on upcycled artisanal kimono silks. Each design is a highly limited edition, with only a handful of each style being produced. The first half of the collection consists of the signature Karoline Laskowska style, with the designs featuring the beautiful and delicate use of French Chantilly lace, embroidery and in some cases with the addition of bows and Swarovski crystals. These designs are the perfect pairing of decadence and sensuality. The second half of the collection focuses on upcycling: the ‘Ume’ collection. Handpicked kimono silks in modern inspired silhouettes, with mini knickers, high-waisted briefs, waspie corsets and Swarovski embellished nipple pasties. Karolina would like to further her ambition and desire for lingerie design, and continue developing her brand further. Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Magpie. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Kinky sexy pants of joy.

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All Images Photographer Simon Crinks Models as Seen Emma Sailsbury and Yazzmin Newell MUA Violet Zeng Sweet Treats Zoe Anderson

Karolina Laskowska

Stephanie Raeburn

tephanie Raeburn is a 23 year old lingerie designer. She started a Contour Fashion course in 2012 at De Montfort University. She wanted to be able to gain the skills and knowledge needed to be a success in the lingerie world. When designing, Stephanie always tries to offer something that is ‘just that little bit different’. She looks to create styles that she herself finds desirable. Her collections incorporate neck details within the designs. She thinks it creates a real ‘avant garde’ appearance, something you never really see on the high street. A great example of this is her butterfly piece. Stephanie loves high-end fashion and usually tries to combine elements from cutting edge outerwear designs which fuse together to create a distinctive lingerie look. Honeybees inspired Stephanie’s recent design. Here she included large Honeycomb mesh, which was an upcoming trend in Spring/Summer 2014. This design

Stephanie Raeburn

has used an unusual, sheer metallic fabric to represent the luster on a bees wing. Anything can inspire Stephanie when designing. Although she does seem to be attracted to researching insects and looking at their silhouettes, colour and texture to inspire designs. She uses a primary source to explore and develope her ideas further to create unique designs. After graduating, Stephanie will apply for jobs overseas. These to be Australia and Hong Kong as she feels travelling the world would gain experience. She would love to see her designs or input in this industry make a real difference to the world!.“It would be an amazing achievement!” Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Ambitious. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Quirky and something different.

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Corsets, Swimwear and Underwear Photographer Jade Turnbull Models as seen Lily La Rousse and April Miele Butterfly Dress Photographer Georgia Tyrie Model Beth Longmore

Stephanie Raeburn

Rosa Silva

osa Silva is a passionate and colourful person. She is someone who is always pushing the boundaries and looking for a controversial technique instead of sticking to the guidelines. This sense of free will has always shown within her designs and ideas. Rosa has always been interested in fashion from an early age and knew that she wanted to pursue a career as a designer! ‘Ceylon’ is a high-end luxury collection of poser swimwear for Spring/Summer 2015. This collection focuses on print, inspired by the country of Sri Lanka. It has been conveyed through kaleidoscopic designs and unique embellishments. The spicy tones and dense prints within the colour palette captures the true charm of Sri Lanka, with strong use of 80’s inspired shapes to give it an on trend ‘retro’ zing. Some designs feature angular and symmetrical panels, combined with numerous prints including black and white Aztec, to create an exciting clash. All garments include a soft lightweight printed Lycra, united with a dense red cherry lining for comfort and support, and

Rosa Silva

to compliment the prints. Designs also feature interesting strapping details and exciting bikini fastenings. All the garments contain heavily decorative embellishment, such as beads, pompoms and various other beaded trims, thus, expressing the intensity and luxurious embellishment within Sari’s. The unique use of PVC throughout this collection establishes a recipe of diverse use of colour and a broad use of materials. This collection is fresh, bold and unforgettable. To Rosa fashion is an art and a way of expressing herself through colour and shapes! She loves getting stuck into a project and has managed to get her dream job designing for a successful and expanding company. “I couldn’t be happier!” Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Fresh. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Colour fusion and heavy embellishments.

Rosa Silva

Catwalk Photographer Jason Senior MUA Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Oreal

Rosa Silva

Emily Storer

Awards mily Storer is currently studying on the BA Honours Contour Design course at De Montfort University and will graduate in summer 2015. She has already graduated with a Distinction from Loughborough University’s Foundation in Art and Design. “Being a contour Designer doesn’t just mean I design and make…if only it was that simple!” - Emily The life of a contour designer… it is fast paced, and results in early mornings and late nights, but Emily says she wouldn’t change a single aspect. When you have that final garment sitting in your hands and you think of how you arrived there, it is a 100% worth it. Emily believes the design is just the beginning. This derives from in depth market research to make sure a gap in the industry has been identified and that there is a market for your idea. Then you need to start pattern cutting, making and ensuring the garment is fit for purpose, combining both technical and aesthetic qualities. Emily is more technically minded, understanding and ensuring that her garments are aesthetically pleasing. However she believes that the technical aspects underpin every piece of work. Emily proved this in a recent project set by “Berlei” in which she created a winning sportswear range for the everyday woman. It was aesthetically pleasing whilst at the same time aiming to reduce the risk of muscle fatigue and injury. Emily Storer

• Winner of the Berlei ‘Sportswear with Support’ Project 2014. • Highly commended for print design by Lepel. • Winner of a university project with Courtaulds.

• Finalist in a technical design project for Stretchline. • Finalist in an aesthetic project set by H&M. With graduation looming Emily has never thought so seriously about what will happen next. She is not afraid to travel and through her work she wants the opportunity to be able to do so. Within a job Emily wants to be able to have an input within design, but also to be able to develop new products aimed at a particular area. Emily will not rule anything out however her long term dream is to work within developing sportswear. Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Determined. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Design to fit the niche.

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Catwalk Photographer Jason Senior Model Stephanie Raeburn Corsets Photographer Amy Lupton Model Stephanie Raeburn

Emily Storer

Accessories Photographer Dave Usher

Emily Storer

Laura Taylor

s an up and coming designer, Laura Taylorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interests lie with swimwear and lingerie. She loves the thought of how something she designed could empower a woman and make them feel sexy and confident. Throughout her years of studying Contour Fashion she focused on developing her skills within all aspects of what it takes to become a designer. She started the course at De Montfort University in 2012 and is now in her final year. Since starting the course her confidence in both her work and herself have grown immensely. Laura is a very competitive and hard working person who always tries her best and puts everything she has into her projects. Laura loves a challenge, it pushes her to meet her full potential and be the best she could possibly be. The inspiration for her swimwear is from Moroccan culture. It has acquired cultural inspiration from French, Arab and Spanish countries. The colours are brightly hued and heavily detailed. Moroccan

Laura Taylor

design has inspired fashion designers such as Missoni for years, and always seems to creep its way back into fashion. The bright vivid blend of pinks, blues, oranges, yellows and reds are what caught Lauraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye. Prints were a must for this project. Prints in Jewel tones and metallics, especially gold are a typical Moroccan style. The garments were constructed from a mix of pinks and teal colours with a kaleidoscope print. Laura never before thought of swimwear design as a career for her before this project. After learning how to develop prints she knows this is the path that she would like to go down. Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Efficacious. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Sophisticated, luxury, feminine and structured.

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Far Left Photographer Jason Senior Left Photographer Jason Senior Model Stephanie Raeburn

Laura Taylor

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Above Photographer Amy-Lauren Fitzimmons Model Rebecca Pennock

Laura Taylor

Mia Vannelli

ia Vannelli’s career began when her Mum’s friend gave her a dressmaking pattern. From then on she began to sew and make her own clothes. She is originally from Birmingham and decided to go to De Montfort University in Leicester to study Fashion design. Mia was absolutely ecstatic to be chosen to show her collection at Graduate Fashion Week (June 2014), making all her hard work pay off. Now as a graduate, Mia is starting to pursue her career in fashion and hopes to achieve working in a job she is passionate about. She currently works as a style advisor and hopes to advance into something behind the scenes of the fashion industry. It was important for Mia’s final collection to be based on something that truly reflects her as a person and as a designer. The inspiration for her final collection was the Bohemian revolution in Paris around the 1900's. This movement attracted writers, poets, artists and musicians who wanted to liberate themselves, living an unconventional life considered sinful at the time. She has generally looked to the past for inspiration and has always appreciated the bohemian aesthetic, and wanted to mix that with Parisian Chic. In order to keep her collection from looking dated Mia looked at sportswear to give a modern twist and the over all effect of her

Mia Vannelli

collection to be unconventional. The colour palette came from a painting by Toulouse Lautrec and Mia wanted to use print as another effective dimension of her collection. She used a lot of light flowing fabrics such as chiffon and crepe. It was printed and then pleated to make trousers and jumpsuits with graceful movement when the models walked. Mia also used a lot of swede in various colours and black patent leather appears throughout the collection. A distinctive motif Mia consistently used in her collection was tassels. Whether it was in print or hanging from a garment. On her finale jacket, Mia excessively hung tassels that clip in and out of the eyelets covering the whole jacket, so the appearance could change depending on how you want to wear it. Mia said “When watching my collection go down the catwalk I could confidently say that I was proud of what I had achieved and look forward to take what I've learnt and move forward into industry.” Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Unconventional. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Strong, feminine and free-spirited.

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All Images Photographer Jason Senior Models as seen Oxana, Georgia, Hazel, Hannah and Ella

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InĂŠs Arconada Vazquez

nés Arconada Vazquez has recently graduated from De Montfort University in Leicester, UK after studying Fashion Design. She specialised in womenswear with a minimalist aesthetic. Inés’s mother is from Uruguay and father from Venezuela, and she herself was born in Barcelona, Spain, but grew up in Brussels. Having been exposed throughout her life to a large variety of sensibilities and cultural codes, Inés has acquired a broad knowledge and very personal vision on fashion design. She believes in clothes that increase self-confidence. The idea for this collection came from the feeling of the cold summer mornings which she had in her grandparent’s beach house in Uruguay. Her mother walking out onto the garden terrace where breakfast is already laid out. Her hair so beautifully messy and how elegant she looked just in her long white nightgown and her bare feet. That is the stylish effortlessness that ‘Naked Breakfast’ translates. As for the shapes and silhouettes, Inés has used what she believes is her strength, the blank canvas that medical wear provides. Medical inspiration isn’t a stranger when it comes to her work. Her grandfather was a plastic surgeon and she has always been interested in his work.

Inés Arconada Vazquez

She found a book he had written about the semiology of the wounds and traumas of the hand and looked at his sketches inside, it instantly inspired her. The organic cut outs found through this collection comes from the sections the of nerves in the hand. All in all, this collection expresses her signature: Luxurious fabrics, a clean cut, a perfect fit and a touch of humour. The materials Inés used translate it. Going from rich fabrics such as mohair, silk, silk wool-tops, cotton and felted wool to more unconventionally used materials such as crinoline, cheap nets, gomtex table protector and snake metal chain. She also experimented with a modern mix of both, resulting in tortoise shell, vinyl cow leather, vinyl cashmere, bonded drill polyester and embroidered vision yarn. In the next couple of years, Inés plans to gain as much experience in the industry as possible. She would ideally then like to apply for Masters at the Institut Français de la Mode (IFM). From then on, whatever the future holds, she’ll be ready for it. Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Meticulous. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Clean cut, luxurious and humorous.

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All Images Photographer Jason Senior MUA L’Oreal

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Stacey Warner

tacey Warner is from a town called Blyth in Northumberland and graduated from De Montfort university in July 2014 with a 1st Class Honours in Fashion Design. In her graduate collection Stacey focused on minimal shapes with both traditional and very modern techniques such as embroidery and laser cutting. The entire collection is loose fitting and can be layered and mixed together. She mainly used white as it really brought out the brightness in her digital prints and embroidered patterns. One of the main features of her collection were the silver metal rings which she used to connect garments together as well as for decoration. Laser cutting is a technique that developed throughout university and she completely fell in love with. If anything Stacey hopes to continue using laser cutting in her work in the future. Staceyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection was inspired by a book called 'How to make a Zombie' which looked at the facts and theories towards 're-animating the dead'. She visited the Science museum in London several times for inspiration that helped her create

Stacey Warner

her digital prints. The idea for the metal rings came from photos of staples used to hold a wound together to heal. Her design ideas started with the 'lab coat' and grew from there. She used a range of materials including patent pig and lamb nappa leather, black out curtain fabric, spongy spacer fabric, coated cotton, coated nylon and an amazing sheer fabric with grid lines that was perfect for digital printing. Stacey aspires to work as a designer as sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experienced what it's like in a design department at different internships. Stacey wishes to do a Masters Degree in London in the future, but wants to gain some industry experience first. Her idea of perfection would be a job that allows her to travel around the world. Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Odd. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Clean cut and minimal.

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All Images Photographer Jason Senior Hair and MUA Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Oreal

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Laura Zammit

aura Jayne Zammit is a Womenswear, Accessories and print designer, who graduated from De Montfort University in July 2014. Lauraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work is greatly influenced by multiculturalism. Her designs incorporate the aspects of colour and print linked to different cultures globally. Her inspiration strives from culture, music and political statements. This translates to create innovative womenswear collections that converts into inspirational shapes, colour, print, layers and style. The

Laura Zammit

use of tropical and African inspired prints and colours are always reinforcing the cultural undertone of her brand. Her collections aim to be uniquely striking with an urban, street style essence. Describe yourself as a designer using one word. Exuberant. How would you sum up your collection in 3-5 words? Fiercely bold, energetic and striking.

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Photographer Neo Wong Models Georgina Jenkins (Above) Yasmin Minto (Right) Renee Zammit (Other)

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