The inspiration behind my collection originated with my own personal curiosity of the reasons behind the way people dress in a certain way according to their background. I was born in a typical working-class area of London and later moved to the south coast and I have always wondered whether this move has had any effect on the development of my personality and style. Class as a concept has always interested me, in particular the way certain individuals give the appearance that someone’s birth location may lead to feelings of either superiority or inferiority.
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I incorporated these personal interests within my exploration of fashion. The ethos of my collection is to merge and integrate the styles of 1980s, both workwear inspired by northern mining communities and 1980s working class fashion trends such as the use of animal print and pvc, with the eccentric upper-class Victoriana style characterised by the use of over the top frills and the general over the top aesthetic
Margaret Thatcher was one of the most infamous figures of the 1980s. People either loved her or hated her. However, she was mostly despised and vilified in the north of England where she is mainly remembered for the mine closures that led to a year long strike and left hundreds of people out of work. I have illustrated her as she was then portrayed, as the incarnation of the devil. This devious illustration has been combined with a quote from Karl Marx: ‘The past lies like a nightmare upon the present’. This quote perfectly sums up the effect Thatcher had on parts of Britain. I think this quote is very powerful and is perfectly representative of the Born on Rye Bread collection.
I wanted to merge my research from Victorian upper-class garments and working class fashion from the 1980s in each of my designed outfits. This top combines traditional and more casual techniques. This contrast is also apparent in my choice of fabrics, a traditional blue checked fabric alongside silver and cow print.
This outfit combines all the elements from the entirety of my research into class within British society. I have contrasted not only fabrics but also silhouettes to create something new. I have created veils attached to bucket hats in order to reflect the youth culture in Britain. Once more all the elements of my collection have been created to be over the top and dramatic. This is to reflect the values and ideas of both the working classes during the 1980s and the upper-classes of the 19th century.
I have included the concept of class right through to the fabrics I have used. I have chosen to incorporate second hand denim to reflect my research into mining communities of the 1980s as well as the idea of hand me downs. I have then contrasted these casual fabrics with fabrics considered more luxurious such as the orange faux fur. This was a conscious effort to combine class within fashion.
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outfit four - coat layplan
photography by - India Wright
The past lies like a nightmare upon the present Karl Marx
photography by - Kat Olszewska