Congratulations to Gussie O'Connor from Kingston University for your remarkable achievement in winning the GFW24 Culture & Heritage Award Design! Gussie's talent and dedication are truly commendable, and this accolade highlights their contribution to the field. Well done!
What is the most valuable thing you have learnt at university?
Learning how to curate research, design, and finalise projects set to major industry briefs. The process of design and product, understanding how the imagined design has to relate to the functional and wearable while keeping the core ideas behind it.
What was the starting point of inspiration for your final project?
I am inspired by traditional slogans, emblems, crests and phrases, rewording them and screen printing them to question the integrity of our current government, the monarchy as a symbol of "Britishness", and holding a 14-year-old Tory tenure to account. These political themes are recurring sentiments in graffiti around Brighton. As citizens, we navigate a tumultuous time in British politics, and my work represents a feeling of distinct and profound change in young people's political and ideological beliefs.
What form did your project take?
My project took on the form of a six-look collection composed entirely of printed garments. Print is imperative to "political optics" and message sending; therefore, I deploy it liberally in meaning and in fabrication. Using only second-hand garments, I have placed new meaning onto the traditional "Britishness" in order to reclaim patriotism from right-wing scaremongers, giving our country a new meaning: of unprejudiced inclusivity and solidarity, curating a look of 'diverse harmony' that exists within our union today.
What materials have you used, and how did you source them?
I used second-hand clothing to create my six looks; each look was based on a type of clothing I see regularly at charity shops. Look one was made from second-hand t-shirts, look two from men's work shirts, look three from jumpers, look four from denim, look five from hoodies, and look six from suit trousers. All my materials were sourced from charity shops or clothing going to landfills, which highlighted the responsibility we have as consumers to mend, upcycle, and reimagine our clothes before we throw them out.
How has it evolved from your initial ideas, and what have you learnt along the way?
My initial ideas were based on protest art and fashion; I carried this sentiment through each look and the whole collection. My collection evolved from the first look by using deconstruction/reconstruction techniques to create more powerful silhouettes. I also learnt the ability to use negative screen printing techniques, which gave the garments and the prints better depth.
What are the messages and themes behind your project that you want people to take away?
This final graduate collection references past, present, and future struggles of the Union of Great Britain: Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and England. Traditional slogans, emblems, crests, and phrases have been reworded and screenprinted to question the integrity of our current government, the monarchy as a symbol of "Britishness," and hold a 14-year-old Tory tenure to account. As citizens, we navigate a tumultuous time in British politics, and this collection represents a feeling of distinct and profound change in young people's political and ideological beliefs. Print is imperative to "political optics" and message sending; therefore, it has been deployed liberally in this collection in meaning and in fabrication. Using only second-hand garments, I have placed a new meaning onto the traditional "Britishness" in order to reclaim patriotism from right-wing scaremongers, giving our country a new meaning: of unprejudiced inclusivity and solidarity, curating a look of 'diverse harmony' that exists within our union today.
What鈥檚 an aspect of the fashion industry that you鈥檙e passionate about fixing or having a positive impact on?
I am passionate about using existing garments we own to write, draw, and express progressive political views and policies. We can showcase our fundamental morals and beliefs on our bodies, and by making old clothes new again, we are communicating to the world how beautiful, liberating, and important our views are.
What are you planning to do following your BA?
I am currently seeking a design position in print manufacture and process, selling my work through my Instagram, and currently working on commissions for local museums and businesses around Brighton.
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