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Katie Clegg

National College of Art and Design

My designs explore the spirit of heritage and identity drawing inspiration from personal and shared experiences. Having grown up as a twin and my father specialising in locksmithing and shoe repairing, I add individual personalised details to imperfect textured materials like denim and leather that gain more beauty with age. The subtle customized details on worn layered fashion invites a feeling of surprise, belonging and emotional attachment to the wearer. My graduate collection ‘Love Locked’ is a concept driven womenswear collection. The collection’s construction, form and details are based on archival locks and keys with macrame inspired by the ‘Gordian knot’, a traditional locking system that involved a complex knot that could only be solved by its creator. This collection also features laser cut signatures from friends and family and devoré.

'Love Locked'

Category: Apparel

Competitions: International

This womenswear collection explores the spirit of heritage and identity, drawing dual inspiration from my third generation locksmithing heritage and the desire to reclaim individual dentity having grown up as a twin. To function, every lock must be individual. Similarly, this collection combines individual craftsmanship and everyday functionality. The collection’s construction, form, and details are based on archival locks and keys. Romantic silhouettes refer to the love lock phenomenon, with macrame inspired by the Gordian knot, a traditional locking system. Signatures from friends and family are inspired by our childhood desire to personalise belongings. Burning techniques mirror my great grandfather’s craft of blacksmithing, while leather cuts are sourced from my father’s shoe repair shop. Each garment is laced with artistry and subtle customized details, inviting the feeling of surprise and belonging to the wearer. Metallic antique colours derive from wear and weathering on outdoor locks. This combination of conceptual colour and imperfect denim and leather encourages emotional attachment through an appreciation of worn layered fashion.

Working with our partners at Arts Thread to develop lifelong learning and career opportunities for students of fashion and design. Our partnership provides the opportunity to compete on a world stage, participate in industry led workshops, set up an outstanding portfolio and gain access to the resources that will kickstart careers in fashion and design.