Commitments

My thoughts on fashion are ever changing. As much as I am looking forward to sharing my work and progress with You, the reader, this blog will be an excellent opportunity for me to reflect, sound off and analyse. We had to reflect on out work at uni and I felt as if it went beyond an academic requirement and became integral to my day to day. Somewhat self indulgent I know. 

From this point I will be speaking about new works, old works and my views on the industry and people involved. Though now, to start, I want to set the table by laying out some goals and commitments for myself in my career. I will do my absolute best to fulfil each goal and allow them to serve as a reminder of my optimism, care and consideration I have at this time. I hope to never let them waiver or to lose touch with the values I keep now. 

Number One: Inclusivity. 

I aim to never create exclusionary work. I will do my best to cater for clients in a way that is considerate and open. I want make garments that serve each and every customer’s physical form, purely by being open. I aim to create media that includes a range of people (models, muses and illustrations) regardless of sexual preference, gender, age, ability, appearance, heritage, race or religion. It is these signifiers in fact, that inform my work, working closely with friends and family I capture essences of their person in everything I do. I will attempt to broaden my circle and widen my reach to create a richer body of work and use it to uplift people, include people and celebrate people. 

Number Two: Personality. 

I never want to lose the personality that I think is evident in my work today. I am sure in my professional life i will have to compromise, change ideas, edit for others. However in my own work i hope to keep the essence of what i care about, notice and replicate. In my clothes I can see the influences of dancers, painters, friends and family. There is an abundance of senseless, soulless clothing churned out every day. I like to think my work is different because it is done with care, organicism and intuition. My experiences are documented in my work and I like to think the constant evolution of myself as a creative will be reflected in my work. I will work to serve a purpose other than my own desire to create. To improve, develop and change the fashion industry starting from home. 

Number Three: Sustainability. 

Though I am sick of the word it is the easiest way to convey care for the future of an industry I love and the planet I love. I do not like what the fashion industry has become, the mindless consumerism of it all makes my skin crawl. I am desperately holding onto the genuine creatives and artists at the top of the industry as a leading light, but I know the groundwork for the future starts with me and my contemporaries. I will aim to fight the mass market machine by offering an affordable alternative to off the rack convenience that is personal and durable. I want to protect and preserve what fashion is at its core, a group of hard working creative professionals who have been taken advantage of for profit. I am interested in the development of fabric and production technology and will work in a way that minimises the damage caused by my work on the environment in my everyday practice. 

Number Four: Local Industry.

Where I can, I will shop close to home. Minimising travel and maximising my spending power to support other smaller and local businesses. I am deeply passionate about my roots in East Anglia and will work to advance the recognition and progress of the area as an artistic and creative hub. I have been supported by the East Anglian Art Fund and Norwich University so far in my career as well as galleries, schools and institutions that celebrate the work of those beginning their career away from major cities. 

Number Five: Consideration. 

As a designer I aim to only create wearable, durable and dynamic garments with limitless potential, not to be defined by occasion or restrictive of comfort or movement. Beginning primarily in women’s and next in gender fluid clothing I aim to serve the needs of my customers as well as my creative expression. I aim never to forget that it is the wearer who makes the clothes what they are. 

Number Six: Friendship and Collaboration. 

In all projects I will endeavour to include those in need of experience and offer opportunities to other creatives to be involved in my work. Photographers, Make Up Artists, Writers, Journalists, Painters and Makers -  this is my promise to You, that I will always be open to creating space and content that benefits you and creates a culture of friendship, care and collaboration in the fashion and Art world. 

Number Seven: My Community 

I will always work to ensure the progress and celebration of work by queer artists and queer people. I want to work with queer spaces, makers and representatives to move into an empowered future. Where I can I want to celebrate our culture and educate others on what it means to be a member of the LGBTQIA+ society and the incredibly important relationship that we have with clothes, art and expression. We are often reminded that our community has come a long way, but the fact our journey an our progress still needs to be tracked is a problem I will never stop working to fix. I want a level playing field, I want recognition, I want safety and I want equal opportunity. Are you with me?