Georgia Clark
THE COEXIST COLLECTION
Inspired by global connectivity and cross-cultural integration
Working with artisan crafters from across the developing world, three London College of Fashion students have created an eco-friendly womenswear collection combining traditional craft methods with sustainably-led fashion design.
The trio of students – designer Georgia Clark, printer Nelly Stewart and knitter Jacob Patterson – came together with craftspeople from the International Trade Centre’s artisan programs in Ethiopia, Peru and Kenya to co-build a collection that expressed a global personality.
The ‘COEXIST’ collection was born from this experimental and dialectical relationship between designer and maker that placed craftsmanship and collaboration firmly at the centre of its ethos. By utilising pre-loved and up-cycled fabrics; unconventional craft techniques; and low-impact organic materials; a collection was created to revolutionise the mainstream perspective of green fashion, through its progressive, eco-luxe appeal.
With special thanks to London’s LMB Textile recycling centre, Mama Biashara and artisan sponsors ‘Paradise Fashion’ of Ethiopia and
‘Artisanias Sumac Peru’
London College of Fashion BA (Hons) Fashion Design & Development
Showerproof printed shell with textured flock detailing and organic cotton wadding
Graduate Collection - Autumn 2015 by Georgia Clark (designer), Jacob Patterson (knitter) and Nelly Stewart (printer)
Patchwork skirt made from recycled leather, metal eyelets and crochet Crochet cropped cardigan with striped rib trim, woven hoops and intarsia knit back panel
Knitted scoop-back jumper with elasticated frill trim, elasticated waist detail and curved sleeves
Cropped layered trousers and cropped short-sleeved shirt made using hand-woven fabric from Ethiopia, in collaboration with Paradise Fashion
Machine and hand-knitted jacket over face print t-shirt with rib trims and peach crepe layered trousers
Recycled leather front with printed back panel and rib arm cuffs and collar
Mohair and metallic knitted dress with a crochet and metal shoulder panel and full, looped sleeves
Pastel jumper with mock-rib open shoulder section and back seam, and map inspired knit pattern to body and sleeves
Cropped layered trousers with high-waistline and exposed zip Cropped short-sleeved shirt with forward-hanging neckline and square buttons to fasten
Dotted foil print t-shirt with high-waist, patchwork, recycled denim jeans with raw seams
Knitted scoop-back jumper with elasticated frill trim, elasticated waist detail and curved sleeves
Printed pleat skirt with matching leather top both having striped rib trims
Mohair and metallic knitted dress with a crochet and metal shoulder panel and full, looped sleeves
Graduate Collection - Autumn 2015 by Georgia Clark (designer), Jacob Patterson (knitter) and Nelly Stewart (printer)
Graduate Collection - Autumn 2015 by Georgia Clark (designer), Jacob Patterson (knitter) and Nelly Stewart (printer)
The Team
“When building the concept for this project, it was important to me that I work collaboratively with others; to offer a platform for expression through craft with a communal goal that would benefit everyone involved. Forming a partnership with Nelly and Jacob allowed each of us to specialise in our particular field and achieve more together by bringing individual expertise and opinions forward for the greater good of the project. My main objective throughout the design process was to ensure that each expressive element of the collection worked alongside one another. Through in-depth research, careful consideration and open dialogue, textile samples underwent a meticulous process of selection and refinement that helped to build a seamless overall aesthetic.”