Dezeen School Shows: a fashion collection promoting diversity in menswear which utilises embroidery and print techniques is included in Dezeen’s latest school show by students at Arts University Bournemouth.
Also included is a wellness centre which features rammed earth and wood offcuts in its assembly and a gender inclusive fashion magazine.
Institution: Arts University Bournemouth
School: Design and Architecture
Courses: BA(Hons) Fashion, BA(Hons) Fashion Branding and Communication and BA(Hons) Architecture (Part 1 ARB/RIBA)
Tutors: Corinna Budnarowska, Elena Crehan and Channa Vithana
School statement:
“The School of Design & Architecture at Arts University Bournemouth encompasses a diverse range of courses, from Fashion, Fashion Marketing and Textiles Design to Modelmaking and Creative Technologies to Interiors, Architecture and Sustainable Futures.
“Whilst methodologies and outputs differ, what unites us all is the commitment to a socially responsible and inclusive educational experience for all our students, regardless of their background.
We hope that you will see how the work of our students not only exemplifies the importance we place on our ‘whole student’ approach to education but also how our students are empowered by their AUB experience to maximise their potential and get to where they want to go.
“Please do enjoy looking at the range of work on show from the School of Design & Architecture at Arts University Bournemouth.”
MASC by Brandon Bolland
MASC is a male presenting fashion publication which promotes freedom in expression through fashion, style, photography, music and art; not only promoting gender expression but also opening it to all male presenting individuals and those that feel they can engage with the content.
“With two physical publications a year, each for the spring/summer and autumn/winter seasons, MASC stays up to date with anything gender inclusive through practical wardrobe styling tips, recommended influencers and brands to look to for gender inclusive clothing and guidance.
“On all digital platforms and in print publication, MASC promotes small designers, artists, creatives and fashion brands that align with our ethos
“Born from the editor’s relationship with fashion as a male presenting individual who experiments with gender through style, MASC is that journey with fashion in a physical form that can help others as they navigate their freedom in fashion.
“As MASC develops it will begin its own talent agency, which will represent different creatives who follow the same ethos of MASC and give a platform to smaller queer, gender non-conforming individuals.”
Student: Brandon Bolland
Course: BA(Hons) Fashion Branding and Communication
Tutor: Corrinna Budnarowska
Floral Masculinity by Emma Andrews
“Floral Masculinity fills a void in the fashion industry by addressing the lack of body representation and diversity in menswear.
“This capsule collection merges virtual innovation with physical realisation, challenging gender stereotypes prevalent in the fashion industry while also celebrating confidence and diversity.
“Digital rendering offers a more sustainable prototyping process compared to traditional manual methods in fashion, empowering exploration in plus-sized menswear grading; virtual prototyping minimises waste significantly compared to fabric sampling, enhancing environmental and economic feasibility.
“The textile and silhouette design celebrate femininity as a tribute to those criticised for embracing traditionally female traits, often associated with softness rather than masculinity; through emotive textiles, a blend of screen and digital printing, embroidery and structural manipulation – both traditional and innovative approaches to textile design for menswear are explored boldly.
“Floral masculinity merges the sustainability and exploratory advantages of digital creation with the beautiful imperfections of human touch.”
Student: Emma Andrews
Course: BA(Hons) Fashion
Tutor: Elena Crehan
Reality Engine by Jackson Graves
“The physical model is a section detail from Reality Engine by Jackson Graves, 3rd Year AUB BA (Hons) Architecture.
The photo is neither staged nor faked but shows how the model was situated in the architecture studio with tools and materials for its assembly, showing part of Jackson’s 21st century university building which incorporates research and testing of differing and extreme real-world environments for emergency service personnel and investigative journalists.
“The programme enables essential, preventative PTSD instruction before the trainees go out into actual nightmares of war, famine and destruction.
Integrating design and technology and advice from a specialist architect and structural engineer, Reality Engine is a locus of resistance to virtual worlds that most are now beholden to; it came via dreams forming surreal environments expressed in Jackson’s paintings of home in Canada and here in Bournemouth, UK.
“The model, like the architecture it represents, embodies genuine sustainability through use of rammed earth and locally sourced offcut donations of high quality wood; also incorporating a gabion structure as a retaining wall bordered with sedimentary layers of soils found at the cliff edges of Bournemouth beach.”
Student: Jackson Graves
Course: BA(Hons) Architecture (Part 1 ARB/RIBA)
Tutor: Channa Vithana
Legacy of Liberation by Willow Gorman
Legacy of Liberation is an autumn/winter womenswear collection for every generation which relays my family‘s history and their emotional battles, crossing geographical and xenophobic boundaries.
“My grandfather was smuggled from Germany into England in a potato sack at the age of four, after the second world war; upon arrival in the UK, he couldn’t speak English and was compelled by his parents to wear lederhosen, making him a target for physical and verbal abuse – this adversity fuelled his determination to survive and flourish despite enduring years of hostility and rejection.
“I have worked with the silhouette of his lederhosen and experimented with gathering and scale, manipulating this traditional garment to symbolise the evolution of his suffering to strength.
“My grandfather passed on his strength and resilience to his three daughters – my mother and aunts – preparing them for life’s challenges; raised as feminists, they were instilled with the belief that they could achieve anything, their love and support was symbolised by a hug and is reflected in the garment silhouettes and vibrant colours and fabrics, contrasting with the monochrome family archive.
“This collection is a celebration of the human spirits’ ability to thrive when held by love; the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Student: Willow Gorman
Course: BA(Hons) Fashion
Tutor: Elena Crehan
New Threads by Maddie Rondel
“New Threads is a phygital crochet brand that encourages people to create unique, slow-fashion styles for themselves, regardless of their experience and skill level.
“Utilising a sustainable, innovative and alternative marketing and brand model, New Threads blends e-commerce, crochet and technology: digital fashion software is used to bridge the traditional textile craft of crochet with the technological age.
“New Threads encourages people to pick up the hook, learn a new skill and keep the craft alive in an effort to battle ‘the attention recession’, utilising both physical and digital strategies to grab consumers’ attention in the midst of the overstimulating floods of marketing campaigns, ads and content that we are exposed to on a daily basis.
“We are experiencing what is known as a ‘polycrisis’, where consumers are becoming numb, therefore brands are being forced to find new ways to cut through the clutter.
Additionally, the promotion of a sustainable craft that has a proven positive effect on our mental health is a key value of the brand, as I believe it is important to keep these traditional, hand-making crafts alive in a world where mass-production is rampant.
Student: Maddie Rondel
Course: BA(Hons) Fashion Branding and Communication
Tutor: Corinna Budnarowska
Partnership content
This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Arts University Bournemouth. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.
