‘Staying Grounded’
My initial intent for my graduate collection had always been to have a 1970s' aesthetic. I love everything about the 70s, from the hairstyles to the flares and the crazy wallpaper. I wanted to indulge in the fun of the 1970s whilst keeping it personal.
This collection was inspired by pictures of my mam's childhood in rural 1970s Ireland. Before I began my degree, my nan gave me a good luck card with the words ‘these will be the best years of your life, enjoy but stay grounded’ scribbled on it. My motifs and prints throughout my collection have been developed from my mam’s pictures and from my nan’s handwriting.
I developed these prints digitally using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
I used a domestic flatbed knit machine to make all the pieces of a jumper and a sweater vest. I used various techniques to create patterns in my knitwear, including striping and punchcards.
