Polly’s final collection is inspired by denim jeans. In particular the ones worn by pioneering miners during the Californian Gold Rush in 1848 and the women, ‘soiled doves’, who followed them in pursuit of their own fortune.
Taking the traditional mining values of wearing a pair of jeans until they are worn through, the ethos behind the collection is to design traditional heritage pieces which will last a lifetime and give people a sense of security in the current climate.
INSPIRATION
Drawing inspiration from vintage denim workwear, I layered menswear silhouettes with lightweight frills taken from vintage 19th century undergarments. I combined these to create a juxtaposition between masculine and feminine. Marbling prints in blue tones influenced by modern day opal mining in Australia add a fluidity to the collection and gold details inspired by my own outback mining experience bring an element of luxury and glamour.
Soul Sista was inspired by nineties sportswear and the New York hip hop scene. This 8-piece womenswear capsule collection focuses on sustainability featuring multi-functional, reversible and zero waste garments. The 1996 Olympic posters by artist Hiro Yamagata influence the bright colours and prints whilst vintage garments worn by both athletes and rappers during this period inspire modern fabrics and details including panels, quilting and zips.
DETAIL
These include run and fell seams, back yokes, bar tacks and gold rivets on pocket corners to help with the durability of garments. Seams in gold foil are printed over functional seams to add surface decoration to washed denim.