About Me
Hi I'm Morven, A Fashion Design Graduate from ECA
Morven Torrance is a Scottish born designer from the highland town of Pitlochry. Her heritage and fondness of Scotland’s natural landscapes informs her designs which often blend her interest in the representation of femininity in clothing with Scottish history to create interesting textures and silhouettes.
One aspect of fashion that deeply fascinates me is the female image and its expression within the realm of design, particularly in womenswear. As a designer, I aim to celebrate and empower women through my work. From the softness of flowing fabrics to the boldness of structured silhouettes, I strive to capture the essence of femininity whilst combining it with various aspects of my own heritage.
INSPIRATION
I found my inspiration in the historical ruins of the Scottish highlands
The visuals of the natural landscapes and historical sites scattered across Scotland have a huge impact on my creative process and serve as a constant reminder of the depth and diversity of my heritage. I find myself drawn to the stories and cultural significance embedded within these historical sites, weaving them into the fabric of my designs. For my graduate collection, I wanted to delve into the very roots of Scottish history and uncover my own understanding of the land where I grew up.
I began my research by looking into the the Picts, an ancient civilisation which populated Scotland up until the eighteenth century. It's believed by a number of historians that Pictish society followed a matriarchal bloodline. This idea of the matriarchy and female leadership sparked my interest in exploring what it means to represent the often perceived contradiction of being strong and feminine within my collection.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
DETAIL
Representing the delicateness and strength of femininity
Drawing inspiration from traditional Scottish armour, such as the doublet, I incorporated its distinctive silhouettes into my designs. Through textile manipulation techniques, I experimented with painting on rib knit to achieve a juxtaposition of a hard exterior and a soft, cosy wool interior. This technique results in creating visually striking knit pieces that embody the fusion of resilience and gentleness. Additionally, I explored the art of hand knitting chain to craft a delicate chainmail material. This intricate technique adds a touch of ethereal elegance to my collection, representing the harmonious balance between strength and femininity.
“The charm of a woman is her strength and her vulnerability, woven together in perfect harmony” – Muriel Spark
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