Paige Fairweather
Visually inspired by waterfalls: this collection conveys the cycle of fast fashion, lined with many metaphors to suggest the ebb and flow of the industry.
About
My project considers the broader issues within the fashion and textile industry. I began by researching wastewater from the textile dying processes, leading me to themes of overconsumption and abundance.
Visually I have been inspired by many things, particularly waterfalls. I look to this as a visual metaphor for the fast fashion cycle, constant and churning but simultaneously a spectacle that draws us in. Waterfalls are something we go to visit and admire, standing in front of one can be both deafening and serene, yet another metaphor for the global fashion system. A hugely complex industry with numerous problematic effects on people and planet, yet fashion, clothing and textiles removed from this system can be empowering, comforting and positive addition to art and culture.
I focused mainly on structural development to translate my visual research. Paying close attention to movement in my work and conveying this mostly through manipulating knitted structures. Colour has been a useful tool which I have applied purposefully to enhance my knitted work. Initially exploring neutral tones with the addition of bolder neon colours – a nod to the toxic, man-made elements within my research. The final collection focuses on timeless, luxury fabrics for fashion, with a hint of drama and quirk.