About Me
Hi, I’m Isabelle, a Graduate from Manchester Fashion Institute.
I am a Kentish born designer, who studied Fashion Design and Technology (Womenswear). I am a very keen advocate for sustainability, environment/nature and womens empowerment which inspires my feminine design aesthetic. I have the desire to enter the field of product development and design, with my strengths focused on fabrication, fit and attention to detail.
The collection name ‘Pink is Power’ was inspired by an interview with Billy Porter, who spoke about how when men wear a dress it is seen as weak but when women wear a suit it is seen as powerful. Giving the impression that dresses/women are weak, and suits/men are powerful. This resonated with me and by reflecting on this I saw women in roles of power wearing bland boring suits to fit in with their male colleagues. For my collection I wanted to twist this idea on its head and empower women to not be afraid to express their femininity and use this as their power.
INSPIRATION
My inspiration began by looking through old family photo albums, to learn more about my heritage.
I discovered that my roots are strongly embedded in the Kentish ‘Garden of England’ countryside. My great great grandmother Amelia and her daughter Ivy served in the Womens Land Army in WW1 and WW2 by working on farms to provide food to the country. Having taken part in the summer 2020 Pick for Britain campaign I felt like I could relate to their experience of farm life. I was inspired by the utility wear of the Womens Land Army uniforms that was worn by the women who stepped up during times of hardship.
I was also inspired when I discovered photos of my ancestors during the Victorian era, as well as my family’s Victorian mantle lustres. This combination of excessive trims of Victorian dress and crystal details from the mantle lustres inspired my use of beaded trims. To modernise my collection, my garments have elements of sustainable design, through using natural and/or organic fibres, eco printing and dyeing methods, but also multifunctionality; with detachable features inspired by the Victorian bustle.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
Concept
Concept
Concept
Market Level and Consumer
Design Development
Design Development
Design Development
Design Development
Design Development
Design Development
Final Line-Up
Final Outfit Board
Final Outfit Board
Final Outfit Board
Final Outfit Board
Final Outfit Board
Final Outfit Board
Final Outfit Board
Final Outfit Board
DETAIL
Naturally dyeing with avocados and floral eco printing inspired my colour and print story.
By experimenting with naturally dyeing with avocado stones I was able to incorporate my muted pink colour pallet in a natural eco-friendly way, without the use of toxic chemicals. By being able to control the application of the colour I was able to experiment with alternative printing methods like tie dye. The tying of the fabric imitates the method of eco-printing, which has also been included within my fabrications. To achieve this eco print I crushed flowers, through tying, to transfer the pigment to paper. This resulted in an organic handmade print that I was able to transfer onto fabric through digital printing. By including detachable elements and functionality within my designs it provides both aesthetic appeal and functionality to the market. Inspired by the apple picking satchels worn by my great grandmother Ivy and her cousin Ruth I wanted to incorporate these pouches into my trouser design through creating large invisible pockets, both front and back, within the seam detailing of the trousers.
In a society dominated by the male gaze and their opinions, this is the chance for women to fight back and own their femininity. PINK IS POWER! It’s a strength not a weakness.
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