Winning fashion students opt for leather
4 March 2010Two London based fashion students, from the London College of Fashion have used leather at the centre of their fashion collections. The winner of the MA Design award was given to Sarah Jane Williams whose leather handmade bags are absolutely exquisite. Briana Smith another student also used novel applications of leather in her collection. The leather used throughout Williams collection was sponsored by Roy Winnard of Metropolitan Leather Ltd. Details and pictures from both collections are as follows:
‘Crafted Fashion’ by Sarah Jane Williams – MA Fashion Artefact
Williams collection comprises of a selection of handcrafted luxury luggage, with each stitch completed by hand using the traditional technique of saddle stitching, each piece taking over 200 hours to complete.
The concept behind the collection is to attempt to bring back craftsmanship into the realm of the fashion world. Sarah’s collection is designed to challenge that craftsmanship used to be the norm, and now is the exception and how globalization is leading to a monoculture. Her collection is therefore produced in order to illustrate how craftsmanship can promote individuality.
Sarah’s research led her to follow Richard Sennett, author of The Craftsman, whose theory that crafts people become interested in materials which they can change and that there are three methods of change: Metamorphosis, Anthropomorphism and Presence.
These methods were applied throughout the whole design and production process, resulting in fashion artefacts, which relate both to historical traditions but can be used in a modern day context.
Sarah’s collection was included as part of the exhibition at the Lulu Guinness 20th anniversary event at the V&A, and more recently was seen at the LCF MA Catwalk show partnered with menswear designer Thomas Miller. The leather used throughout her collection was sponsored by Roy Winnard of Metropolitan Leather Ltd.
‘B.THALLE leathergoods’ by Briana Smith – MA Fashion Artefact
The inspiration for Smith’s collection came from a new found passion for antique luggage not seen before in her native USA. Whilst browsing London markets such as Portobello Road, and antique shops in Chelsea, Smith was drawn to the quality and uniqueness of each piece, specifically the fittings, so her vision was to merge traditional ideas and elements with an innovative material to produce a contemporary fashion artefact.
Pursuing her research with a focus on leather and technology, Smith has emerged with an exclusive material called knitted ‘hair-on’ leather, incorporating leatherwork with traditional hand knitting techniques to enhance her collection with something not seen or used before.
The concept of knitted hair-on leather is utilising a traditional craft, hand knitting, with a non-traditional material, leather and can be seen throughout the collection
Her final collection is a result of her passion to produce innovative, contemporary products, made of the highest quality, whilst incorporating traditional ideas with modern methods.
Briana Smith’s designs were recently seen at the MA Catwalk show, when partnered with menswear designer Domingo Rodriguez.
