About Me
Knitwear and Biomaterial Designer, specialising in womenswear
My Collection 'Close-Knit' is based on my Irish heritage as I was inspired by fishermen's ganseys and Galway shawls. I wanted to explore my connection with my late grandmother as I wanted to learn more about her life as she was passionate about knitting and sewing. I also included my personal style in my work so I looked into rave and clubbing culture.
My work takes influence from clubbing outfits and combines the traditional knitting techniques to create modern, innovative pieces. It combines crochet, hand knitting and machine knitting to make different textures and layers. I have used bright colours and silhouettes that accentuate the body so the wearer feels empowered and confident whilst wearing it. The pieces can also be styled in different ways with other garments, or with items from the wearer's collection so they are able to get lots of use out of each piece.
INSPIRATION
Innovating Historical Techniques
I was particularly interested in the stitch patterns in the the fishermen's ganseys as they symbolise different things, so I have included techniques like holes, ladders and cable knit. I have used other materials such as second hand leather, as this creates a chunky texture which contrasts with the more delicate machine knitting. The silhouettes are inspired by my research into Berlin clubbing outfits as they are a way of the wearer expressing their individuality and authenticity.
I wanted my collection to be sustainable and I love knit and crochet as I can be very hands-on. I created a biomaterial that can be knitted as traditional yarns are often synthetic or use a lot of water to make. The material I have made has water resistant properties and changes with the temperature and the wearer, as well as being biodegradable. It is zero waste process, as with knitting and crochet the patterns can be made to the exact shape and size needed.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
Concept Board
Colour Board
Initial Research - Fishermen's Ganseys
Sample Development
Biomaterial Sampling and Draping
Machine Knit Experimentation
Machine Knit Toiling
Final Line Up
Technical Drawings
Outfit One
Outfit Two
DETAIL
Knitwear Layering
In my own personal style I layer a lot of items to create different textures so this is something I wanted to include in my collection. Each knitted garment is fully fashioned as I created the pattern pieces intuitively to the wearer. For the machine knit pieces, I used a domestic machine and used techniques such as ladders and holes and I then crocheted the seams together. The ladders and holes are inspired by fishing equipment and the stitch patterns on fishermen’s jumpers. I used yarns from charity shops, second-hand leather, mohair and bushed fleece yarns.
"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak" - Rachel Zoe
Graduate Fashion Week in partnership with:
