Fashion Design
Caoimhe Dowling
‘Sub Rosa’ A/W ‘19
This collection is inspired by the conceptual story of an Irish Catholic schoolgirl from a devout unquestioning innocence to awareness and rebellion. I collaged photographs that I took of my old primary school with found old family photographs as inspiration. Each fabric was selected and layered to portray a story that is full of contradiction and juxtaposition. Silk taffeta, tulle and brocade portray a youthful femininity. Traditional fabrics such as Irish tweed, Irish linen and tartan are juxtaposed with contrasting PVC to denote a departure from the traditional into the contemporary. Hand-printed tulle with the same tartan print are layered up and transparency and fading pattern are utilised to denote the deconstruction of order and rigid pattern. I took inspiration from religious icons such as the Sacred Heart for the anxious knotting, tying and gathering that runs throughout the collection. Traditional pattern drafting is combined with subtraction cutting and layering to create deconstructed shapes that are inspired by the concept of subverting the traditional school uniform and turning it into the extraordinary.
Work Experience: Sadie Williams, London