W: Jack O'Brian. I: Jonny Carr

Hailing from South Liverpool, Lottie Blankstone found her creative home at Leeds Beckett University, drawn by the city’s familiar energy and the course’s hands-on focus on creative practice. Her design philosophy is deeply rooted in her personal history of ignoring gendered clothing, a perspective that fuels her mission to create truly genderless collections. This ethos takes centre stage in her latest work, “Three Lines in History,” an auto-ethnographic exploration of Cultural Judaism. By drawing symbolism from the Shabbat table—specifically the glow of candles and the crispness of white linen—Lottie utilizes an all-white palette to investigate the concept of purity, blending heritage with a modern, fluid aesthetic.

As she prepares to enter the industry as an aspiring menswear designer, Lottie carries with her the confidence gained from three years of total creative freedom. The journey through her degree has been one of self-discovery, proving to her that she is more than capable of tackling complex challenges to produce high-impact results. Looking ahead, she is eager to dive into internships and work alongside industry leaders to further refine her craft. Her message to those following in her footsteps is one of resilient optimism: while the final year is demanding, the fulfilment of seeing a vision come to life is an unparalleled achievement that makes every moment of doubt worth it.