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Liliana Rochado

UK

Hi, my name is Liliana Rochado, and I am a fashion design student at the University of Central Lancashire in the United Kingdom. I discovered my love for working with leather during my second year at university. While completing my tailored blazer brief, I wanted to challenge myself and chose to explore leather as my primary material. I conducted extensive research into different types of leather, even using this topic for my second-year essay. I had the opportunity to collaborate with a local upholstery artist who generously allowed me to use her surplus leather scraps, which enabled me to bring my creative vision to life. My project is inspired by my Portuguese grandfather, as I am both English and Portuguese. It is titled Avo Antonio in his honour and delves into the beauty of who he is, portraying him as a fruit and vegetable farmer in his late eighties. The project explores Portuguese tiles and my personal connection to them through my grandfather, all expressed through the creation of a tailored leather blazer.

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Avo Antonio

Category: Apparel

Competitions: International

My competition piece, created as part of my second-year tailoring project, is a tailored blazer inspired by my Portuguese grandfather, Avo Antonio. I’m proud of my dual British and Portuguese heritage, and I aim to bring this cultural richness into my designs. Avo Antonio’s life: from his service as a mounted police officer in Portugal and Germany to running our family farm he has always inspired me. Summers spent working on the farm in Portugal have shaped my understanding of durability, practicality, and craftsmanship. For this blazer, I wanted to reflect my grandfather’s hardworking spirit through a garment that combines function and elegance. The blazer’s pockets, doubled for extra storage, are inspired by the shape of his denim jeans pockets. Flat-felled seams echo the durability and hard-wearing nature of his work clothes. The silhouette, featuring a fitted waist and exaggerated balloon sleeves, draws influence from Schiaparelli’s historic couture, blending tradition with modernity. Leather plays a central role in my piece. I chose cow leather scraps sourced from a local upholsterer, ensuring the project remains sustainable while allowing me to explore new leatherworking techniques. The leather elements are inspired by the dark oak furniture my grandfather owned and by Chesterfield sofas, connecting my design to both heritage and material luxury. One of the most meaningful details in my blazer is the leather sleeve moulding, inspired by the architectural tiles on the exterior of my grandfather’s 1970s-built home. I replicated the arches from these tiles and incorporated them into the sleeve design, while the floor tiles inside the house were etched into denim for the lining. This felt poetic — exterior tiles on the outside, interior tiles hidden inside — symbolising the duality of heritage and personal narrative. Though the creative journey wasn’t without challenges, I embraced the process wholeheartedly. Even when the blazer wasn’t fully finished before my photoshoot, I pushed ahead, capturing imagery rooted in my story and summer memories in Portugal. Embracing imperfection added authenticity to the final piece. After returning from the shoot, I completed the finishing touches, subtly integrating the tile motifs into the front bodice and back panels. Hardware details, including rivets and a braces clasp closure, as well as fine detailing around the collar and pockets, contribute to a modern “quiet luxury” aesthetic, aligning with current trends while honouring traditional craft.

In association with Arts Thread

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.