About Me
Olá, I am Lauren, a fashion design graduate from Nottingham Trent
Lauren Knapp, a creative with Portuguese-British heritage, specializes in culture-based fashion design. Her passion and devotion to handcrafted artistry and traditional Portuguese techniques and materials result in unique creations that champion cultural sustainability. Her work seamlessly blends heritage with modernity, promoting cultural preservation.
After three years of studying Fashion Design at NTU, I realised that Portuguese influences within fashion remains largely unrecognized and its craftsmanship undervalued. My goal is to promote Portuguese culture and foster a deeper appreciation for our rich history of crafts and techniques. Inspired by my avĂł (grandmother), who taught me to sew and crochet, I centre my designs around generational artisanship, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. I believe it's crucial to highlight these Portuguese crafts to ensure their future and keep our cultural heritage alive.
INSPIRATION
I'm inspired by Portuguese craftmanship, that weave stories of generations.
The relationship between Portuguese craftsmanship, traditions, and family integration has always inspired me. Growing up, I frequently attended traditional festivals, where we dressed in regional costumes and danced to Fado music. The cultural richness of Portugal and its dedication to preserving heritage has always fascinated me. This experience has profoundly influenced my design commitment, motivating me to continue the commitment to preserving and celebrating Portuguese heritage through my work.
Growing up, engaging in crafts with my grandmother fostered a deep connection to her artisanship, which I aim to pass on to future generations. This generational bond created through crafting is a significant inspiration for me. I feel a passion to highlight the importance of craftmanship and slow making not only in a sustainability viewpoint but also in a heritage sustainable path where we are promoting these skills, giving back to communities and retaining their relevance in the fashion landscape.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
My First Concept Page for The Amorina Collection
My Second Concept Page for The Amorina Collection
My Third Concept Page for The Amorina Collection
Design Development of my first outfit
Design Development of my second outfit
Embroidery Development
Colour Pallete and Materials
Sampling on Cork
Garment Breakdown 1
Garment Breakdown 2
Garment Breakdown 3
The Amorina Collection ss24
Sustainability for the Amorina Collection
Specification Drawings for The Amorina Collection
The Amorina Collection Photoshoot
The Amorina Collection Photoshoot
The Amorina Collection Photoshoot
Behind the Scenes of The Amorina Collection
Further photographs
DETAIL
Curating a collection rich in Portuguese culture, I have reflected my artisanship inspired message.
This collection explores the unique native material of Portuguese cork. By reimagining the silhouettes of traditional regional costumes in a contemporary way, I’ve emphasized tailoring to create timeless pieces. Incorporating intricate embroidery, as seen in the first outfit and the flaps hanging from the shorts pockets in the second, I reflect the deep connection this craft has with Portugal. Inspired by Portuguese textile designer Joana Vasconcelos, I have blended her geometric shapes with the florals of traditional Madeira embroidery. Additionally, I’ve explored innovative fabric technologies like laser cutting, evident in the shorts of the second outfit, and sublimation, integrated within the embroidery. This blend of modernity and tradition pushes the boundaries of heritage-based fashion. The aim is to celebrate Portuguese culture through a contemporary lens, promoting a fresh perspective on tradition and the beauty of handmade techniques.
"You could tell the story of a particular region through these techniques or the oral memory of a craftmanship, creating a beautiful map" (Style,2024)
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