Degree Show 2023
Imogen West
BA Fashion Design
I am a 2023 Fashion Design graduate, specialising in womenswear design. This focus provided a comprehensive understanding of the history of women’s fashion, as well as contemporary garment standards.
I developed a further technical understanding of both men’s and womenswear design during my industry placement at Walker Slater, a Tweed tailoring company.
During my final year at university, I developed three design collections of 14 outfits and a 16-outfit collection surrounding the innovation of transformative fashion. Once designed, I manufactured two commercially viable transformative outfits.
From development through to completion of a collection, I keep a strong focus on brand research, appropriate fabrics, and the design concept. I particularly enjoy developing designs digitally, using Adobe and CLO3D software.
Overconsumption is a growing concern prevalent in the fashion industry today. As consumers, our current decisions regarding clothing consumption will impact the environmental future for generations to come. The designed collection and subsequent outfits constructed, illustrate the possibilities of transformative fashion in addressing developing overconsumption concerns within the fashion industry. The collection is inspired by the grace of drapery in Italian Renaissance artwork and sculpture. The artwork informed the colour and silhouette of the collection.
The outfits constructed illustrate the possibilities of transformative fashion in addressing developing overconsumption concerns within the fashion industry. A full video showing the transformation of each garment can be found through the following link.
A collection based on Neist Point, a lighthouse located on the most westerly tip of the Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. This concept is combined with the inspiration Philippa Thomas prints.
Toast is a clothing brand who champion their use of sustainable practices, materials and collaboration with craftspeople.
The addition of Sashiko development illustrates the concept of incorporating mending techniques within the initial design as a method of producing clothing with longevity.
After developing exclusively womenswear collections, I decided to interpret this concept in a gender fluid design direction. This collection is inspired by the controversy regarding women’s dress during the late 1970s, combined with photography by Deborah Tuberville.
A collection based on the life of my great grandmother, May Beaumont; taking inspiration from her intricate sewing book and beautiful clothing, juxtaposed by the harsh times of her youth. Combining this with a selection of archival 1930s Liberty London prints, the collection references May’s teenage years.