About Me
Hi, I’m Aleena a graduate from UCLAN BA Hons Fashion Design.
Aleena was born in Pakistan and moved to Spain for 6 years before moving to England for higher education. She has experienced a diversity of cultures by living in three different countries and this is evident in her creative processes. Art has always been a passion throughout her life and influences her research.
She has developed many textile/fashion skills and applied these to her work. Aleena was inspired by the Victorian era and experimental approaches in garment creation for her final collection. Fashion during the Victorian era, even though seemingly reserved, developed into extreme silhouettes and decorative details (such as ruched tapes, tassled ribbons and scalloped edging), which became an art form for the ladies of the upper classes. During the pandemic, however, the world stopped dressing in extravagant ways and prioritised comfortable basic clothing, something I wanted to address.
INSPIRATION
Victorian fashion details and silhouettes with a contemporary vision.
I wanted to create an escape route into a world of exaggerated shapes, sleeves, impractical sleeves, voluminous skirts, ruffles, pleated trims, scalloped hems, ruched embellishments all to create whimsical silhouettes that are both dreamy and a million miles away from loungewear. The start of my collection was based on the sudden pandemic and the issues the public faced but the idea developed as I wanted an escape and researched deeper research into Victorian fashion.
My ideas developed into creating garments that make one feel special and whimsical. I feel that the way fashion became important in Victorian era for silhouette and detailing, it would have identical significance in the post Covid-19 world and people would yearn for the extravagance of fashion. The contrast of giant proportions against a more fitted or waisted silhouette is one of the main elements in Victorian female fashion and the aim was to merge it with contemporary silhouette.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
Concept Board
Customer Briefing
Design Analysis
Design Analysis
Design Analysis
Design Analysis
Design Analysis
Silhouette Board
Toile Experimentation
Toile Experimentation
Final line up collection
Flat Drawing
Flat Drawing
Photoshoot
Photoshoot
Photoshoot
Photoshoot
Photoshoot
Photoshoot
DETAIL
A collection inspired by the importance of ruffles and the extravagant silhouettes
I created diagonal seams and inserted ruffles and asymmetry become an important aspect to my design development allowing me to create contemporary silhouettes and not historic costumes.Ruffles and voluminous skirts are one of main and most important elements within my collection and taking that idea further, I created spiral and ‘C shaped’ ruffles to add to my final outfits creating a more contemporary conclusion. Hand painted polka dot cotton organdie was used to make versatile shawl attachments that can be worn in many different ways utilising rouleau loop fastenings. These rouleau loops and the hand stitched buttons are carefully placed on the shawl and around the individual garments allowing for personal customisation of each outfit. Once paired with a pleated tulle skirt, an under top and a pair of leggings my collection outfits become contemporary ideas with a historic flavour running throughout.
“For a full year, working from one room and being inspired by escapist Victorian silhouettes, I am happy to have created a fashion collection that is a true escape into the whimsical side of dressing"
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