Milly Trend

My concept starting point was an old vintage curtain that belonged to my great, great grandma. I was fascinated with the history and stories one piece of fabric held. I then decided to explore my heritage. Specifically looking at both my nan's on either side of my family. Exploring their differing upbringings, styles, memories and how these have shaped them into the people they are today. I took themes of motorcycling and farming within my heritage to influence silhouette and materiality.

My second theme explores sleep and how our mentality can affect sleeping. I was interested in how fabric moves and changes while we sleep and the different positions that distort the body and our clothing. I wanted to explore sleepwear both in a contemporary and historical sense, looking at features that have remained as well as how sleepwear has adapted.

Pattern inspiration is taken from old family photographs as well as the patterns and silhouettes associated with pyjamas. Sourcing materials from my network of friends and family such as my grandma’s old curtains and my family's old leather sofa.

Responding to the idea of hand me downs and make do and mend culture, valuing material that is already in the world, modernising the fabrics by printing and working into them. Taking inspiration from urban landscapes and functions from my own upbringing in London and how garment design can with-stand a lot of use and movement around a city landscape, considering durability and functionality.