Legacy of Liberation

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” (Eleanor Roosevelt, 1986) Legacy of Liberation is a multi-generational A/W womenswear collection. It reflects my family history of emotional battles across geographical and xenophobic boundaries. Aged four following WW2, my grandfather was smuggled from Germany to England in a potato sack. On arrival he couldn't speak English and was compelled by his parents to wear Lederhosen, making him a target for physical and verbal abuse. Adversity fuelled his determination to survive and flourish despite enduring years of hostility and rejection. I manipulated the lederhosen silhouette, experimenting with gathering and scale to symbolize the transition of his suffering into strength and resilience. He transmitted this to his three daughters, my mother and aunts, preparing them for life's challenges. Raised as feminists, they were instilled with the belief that they could achieve anything. Their love and support, symbolized by a hug, are reflected in the garment silhouettes; vibrant colours and fabrics, contrast to a monochrome family archive. The collection is a celebration of the human spirit and its ability to thrive when held by love.