DATE: 11th June 2024 PLACE: The Old Truman Brewery/East London. TIME: 12.45
Arts University Bournemouth BA graduate show is one of Graduate Fashion Week’s highly anticipated events, with designers, buyers and journalists all keen to see the industry’s next generation of talent to make their first foray onto the catwalk, and the Class Of 2024 did not disappoint.
Highlights included Nicole Singleton’s oversized pioneer hats, teamed with elegant accordion old west patchwork separates , Kayleigh Macconachi deconstructed menswear offered new forms of tailoring. Elsewhere Nadine El Garny, provided colour and texture with her collection inspired by Folk Tales. However, it was Jodie Alfords collection of Cornish countryside inspired modest knitwear silhouettes that had the audience baying for more.
Jodie Alford
Balance is an A/W24 womenswear collection. The concept centres around the struggle to find an ideal life balance, stemming from an ambition to integrate family and simultaneously build a brand. This is symbolised through a juxtaposition of tailoring and knitwear. This collection is targeted towards working women, who value the time they spend with their family whilst also having ambitious career goals and shouldn’t have to sacrifice either. The knitwear pulls inspiration from Cornish countryside views, reflecting a more pared back way of life. The use of check fabrics is influenced by sharp cityscapes, representing a bustling city work life. It was important for this collection to be as eco-conscious as possible, resulting in the fabrics being exclusively deadstock. These were sourced through a collaboration with Mother of Pearl, as well as Parisian deadstock shops that source end of roll fabrics from the luxury fashion industry. Additional materials and fastenings are sourced as sustainably as possible.
Kayleigh Macconnachi with Knitwear by Holly Pritchard
“Fest Dad” is a unisex collection inspired by my dad’s passion for UK music festivals and the indie scene, which deeply influences our bond. His style, informed by mod culture and music, reflects the rich history of festivals like Glastonbury and Woodstock, where a sense of community makes him feel at home. This collection seamlessly merges the functionality of festival wear with an elevated edge to casual clothing. In crafting this collection, sustainability takes centre stage. I’ve conscientiously repurposed old garments for draping, sillhouette generation and garment reconstruction, drawing from my dad’s capsule wardrobe for inspiration; his trusty Bucket hat, in particular. This sustainable ethos not only guides my design process but also shapes the final lineup, through functionality, colour and silhouette. Featuring upcycled elements also breathes new life into existing pieces and adds to the history and reminiscent tone of the collection. Practicality meets style with transformable elements, like shirts draped onto jeans that offer versatility for hot festival crowds. Additionally, “Fest Dad” takes bucket hat features to new levels and is reinterpreted into shoulders, collars, and topstitching, adding a luxurious and personalized touch. From initial collaging to final draping, “Fest Dad” has evolved into a comprehensive collection of denim-heavy garments. Each piece adds an extra edge to casual wear, ensuring festival-goers feel both comfortable and confident as they immerse themselves in the music scene.
Nicole Singleton
“Home Route” is an Autumn/Winter menswear collection inspired by the unique pastimes of my grandparents: my grandfather’s passion for Husky racing and my grandmother’s love for patchwork quilting. The collection draws initial garment, silhouette and hardware inspiration from the protective outerwear worn by my grandfather and his fellow Husky racing athletes. While the print and textile story evokes a sense of ‘home comfort’, reminiscent of returning from harsh mountainous terrains to the warmth of my grandmother and the family home. Intricate quilting techniques, digital prints informed by my grandmothers beautiful quilt work and knit are used to capture this feeling. Oversized puffer sleeves and soft fabrics are an integral theme within the garments and aim to create the sensation of being wrapped in a handcrafted quilt and the love it takes to create one!
Nadine El Garny
Pantalone’s Fruit is a Womenswear Collection inspired by folk tales and their unapologetic blend of nonsense and reality. The allure of folk tales lies in the journey their characters take when they start with nothing and end up with everything. This reflects the mundane daily tasks one must undertake to achieve one’s aspirations. Whether the simple act of carrying a basket of food or gathering fruits, in folk tales ordinary actions are magnified by nonsensical and magical elements. By distorting these activities, Pantalone’s Fruit alters the perception of routine tasks, and elevates them to something extraordinary. The charater of Pantalone from Commedia dell’arte is an intertextual reference in my own folk tale, which explores desire and fulfilment through nonsense and satire. It forms a collection that is a caricature of life.
