Flor de la memoria

Casey Dillon’s graduate collection is a knitwear-focused womenswear collection, the main aim of the collection is to make women feel beautiful and comfortable. The collection is designed to flatter many different body types and the stretchy knitted fabrics developed allow for this to be possible. The collection's research was drawn from the designer’s personal memories and life experiences, leading to an in-depth investigation into memory triggers after losing a loved one. Inspiration was sparked by species of flowers and their symbolism and how these flowers can bridge the feeling of grief in many different forms; from placing arrangements to scent and colour. This inspired the textures, colour, organic forms and soft shapes within the collection, captured by the knitted fabrics these features can be seen. The designer was also inspired by their holidays in Cuba, a point of interest was how the people seemed so bright and uplifted even though they were dealing with the difficult repercussions of communism. The country may have a complex political and economic background but in contrast, the beauty and vibrancy of nature and the people overtake this in the present moment. The aim was to capture this approach to the collection. Although the main inspiration is rather dark and serious the aim is to make the viewer and wearer to feel joy and happiness when engaging with the garments. The collection is also a celebration of womanhood and highlights the progression of women's dress. The collection looks at women feeling pressured to wear undergarments to alter their body shapes because of society’s expectations through history through to the celebration of women being able to wear undergarments as outerwear. Through this the idea of beauty, power and delicacy was explored by looking at historical lingerie and the movements that coincide with this.