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KATE WARD

BA (Hons) Fashion Design (First Class)
UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS, 2005

BACKGROUND

Kate Ward, who is from Leeds, is a recent graduate from Leeds University with a First Class BA (Hons) Degree in Fashion Design. After high school, Kate spent her gap year working and spent a month in Paris with French and speaks French to A-Level standard.

Becoming a fashion student at Leeds University in 2002, her graduate collection 'Devenir en Gris' used cotton jersey and felt to explore ideas about architecture, drapery and the concept of the Void. The collection used subtle colours, and tones of grey, inspired by the work of architect Daniel Libeskind and artist Aurelie Nemours to create womenswear for intellectual individuals.

VIEWS ON FASHION

Fashion should represent the personality of the wearer, their sense of style and their attitudes. Clothes allow others to make judgements about us on a visual basis, and our perceptions of people can be altered depending on their appearance. Because of this, clothing can increase our confidence, allow us to explore different facets of our personalities, or even escape from our everyday lives into a world of glamour. My garments attempt to explore concepts of architecture and space, whilst being stylish and wearable.

THE FINAL YEAR COLLECTION

My collection uses double knit cotton jersey to explore concepts of space and 'the void', and the shapes which are achievedwhen the Void is inflated or eliminated. This is encapsulated by the idea of voids which occur between the rubber layers in the soles of trainers. The garments were inspired by the grey, modern architecture of the area around London's Barbican, the Gherkin and the work of architect Daniel Libeskind. Libeskind's Jewish Museum in Berlin was a key building in informing the collection, making use as it does of layers, cut out shapes, and containing its own 'Voic'; an empty concrete tower which serves as a haunting Holocaust memorial. The colour palette of soft grey tones, and subtle colours was inspired by the paintings of the French artist Aurelie Nemours, which were introduced to me at a career retrospective at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Her use of blocks of colour, and subtly changing tones, shapes and monochrome were inspirational. The collection is high fashion aimed at intellectual, creative-minded women aged between 20 and 30, who are looking for something unusual and individual.

The double knit jersey seemed a natural fabric to use, with a slight strength to it in order to create architectural shapes, but still soft enough to drape and gather. The essence of the Void is contained in the spaces which are created between the layer of garment which touches the wearer, and the layer of the garment which is in contact with the wearer's environment.

THE COLLECTION COMPRISES:

Of a six piece collection comprising of a double knit jersey dress with two layers, skirts with shirring detail, simple jersey puffball skirts, jersey halternecks and loose polo necks.

STATUS: Kate's future aspirations are to gain experience in design positions at various companies and she is also available for freelance projects. Kate is also available for suitable work placement opportunities. Contact designers@fashionfinders.co.uk for more details.

MY BOUTIQUE: KATE WARD

MY SHOW PICTURES: KATE WARDS SHOW PICTURES

MY CV: KATE WARD'S CV

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