Stunning Graduate Collection – Acquiring Anchor by Zoe Childs.

14th May 2015

We love to see how our customers are using our fabric and we were thrilled when UCA Rochester, Fashion Textiles student, Zoe Childs sent us these images of her stunning graduate collection!

Zoe used our versatile black Melton fabric which has a supple durability, perfect for jackets, coats and other outerwear garments. She applied a number of different finishes to the finished garments which are inspired by early twentieth century deep sea divers.

Zoe tells us where her inspiration for the collection came from and how she achieved the final look…

“Acquiring Anchor is inspired by early twentieth century deep sea divers, such as my Great-Grandfather. The autumn/winter collection explores the similarities between the dangers of this job to present day anxieties. Fabrics are either waterproof, including salmon leathers, rubber and authentic diving suit material or imitate those used in the initial suits such as cotton drill or woollen thermals. Silk satin adds elegance and femininity. A sophisticated colour palette of variously toned blues and pinks indicates the moods we feel when under or freed from pressure. Mostly, the collection is a story starting with that lowest moment and the attempts to salvage, problem solve and succeed. Ultimately, the diver is our metaphorical hero.

“The wool has been screen printed in my drawing design, with dyed blue ink and two foils, an iridescent and an antique gum metal. I have smocked around the neck and the hem of the coat, to add texture, shape and replicate the feelings of anxiety and stress. The collar is an engineered screen print on Cordura Butyle polyester, an authentic diving suit material I sourced from Dartford. The sleeves are divided and faced with salmon leather.”

Zoe is hopeful that her collection will be chosen for London Graduate Fashion Week and we would love to see her designs go down the catwalk. To find out more about Zoe’s work, take a look at her website www.zoechilds.com.