Scabbing

Being trained in menswear, I often come into conflict with the notion of menswear being typically perceived as the more tame or palatable side of the fashion zeitgeist. My goal as an emerging creative is to challenge this notion and to be one of many designers pushing far beyond what menswear is seen as in the public's eye. I aim to infuse menswear with bold, daring, and avant-garde elements that defy traditional boundaries and expectations. By experimenting with unconventional design techniques, intricate detailing, and redefined silhouettes, I strive to create garments that not only make a statement but also redefine the now outdated concept of the “ideal male” in my own vision. A key aspect of my design process has always been heavily influenced by my research. As described by one tutor as “always spiralling down into these rabbit holes of research.” I find the research side to be crucial in my design process, as I strive to discover niche and esoteric ideas and concepts and manifest them into tangible, concrete design elements. A great example of this can be seen in my BA graduate collection titled “Scabbing” where the concept revolved around the essence of queer rage and the often-troubled notion of a queer man’s relationship with his own masculinity and sexuality, the process though witch I tackled this narrative was to take garment/outfits typically perceived as masculine and deconstruct them to re-contextualize them as something to be more queer-coded, emblematic of how queer culture often like to disrupt conventional social norms. This collection allowed me to explore into deep and often uncomfortable themes, pushing the boundaries of conventional fashion to provoke thought and a discussion about identity and self-expression.