Welcome
Hello. I’m Bess and this is my online portfolio. I am a fashion designer but as you will discover I have a few different strings to my bow, I have a history in Graphics, Illustration and Metalwork. Each discipline has taught me valuable skills in design that feed my work. No matter what the discipline, clean aesthetics, colour, functionality (especially multi-functionality) and humour play a part in my work.
Browse by scrolling right — The work is chronologically ordered with the newest first. If you are looking for something in particular you can refine your search with the Categories. If you have any questions please contact me. If you would like to keep up with what I am doing you can sign up for the RSS feed and keep an eye on my blog.
Thank you for visiting.
The Collection: Curiouser and Curiouser
Classic silhouettes with a metamorphic twist to create intriguing sartorial statements.
This collection references iconic styles and interprets them with a playful edge. Versatility, comfort and colour are employed to produce a very wearable collection that can adapt according to the whim of the individual
Zippy Coat
A classic wearable coat quilted with wool wadding, designed to cocoon the wearer against the elements yet remain stylish. Versatility of the silhouette is created when the panel and sleeve zips are played with, according to whim.
Hoody with ears and Twister skirt
A fun but simultaneously classic hoody with ears made in the finest wool gauze. A skirt named after a lollipop due to the spiral insertion of a zip that enables the skirt to be long or short and variations in between. More info on the blog
Zippy Dress
A multitude of silhouettes can be made with this one dress with the zipping and unzipping of panels. A development on from the zippy skirt, this was borne from a desire to have a different shaped dress according to the whims of the wearer and fashion.
Long cardigan with idiot gloves
This cardigan develops the flattering seaming of the reversible dress and the cuffs and collar from the circle jumper (scroll on to view), resulting in a versatile cardigan/coat that can’t help but make you smile. More images and information can be found on my blog
Zippy Skirt and Circle Jumper
A desire for a skirt that could morph from ‘sensible’ to ‘silly’ with the flick of a switch was what inspired this zippy skirt. Zips on each panel undo to reveal digitally printed silk. Weighted hems subtly bounce as the wearer moves. The circle jumper was created with a desire for gloves that could not be forgotten (like the idiot gloves attached to my coat that I had as a child), the cropped hem is designed to flatter, no matter what it is worn with. Further images and information can be found on my blog
Reversible Dress.
Black and white polka dots on one side, plain red on the other. This was a jersey dress designed for versatility, a trans-seasonal garment that can be worn to work or for play and looks good at all times.
Further pictures can be found on my blog
Can the fickle be taken out of fashion?
This dissertation, “Can the Fickle Be Taken out of Fashion?” is an investigation into the issues that face a fashion designer entering the industry in the 21st century. Fashion, by definition is fashionable, fleeting, fickle. Designers are hard wired to reinvent and always be on the lookout for the next In Thing, but there are contrasting issues of sustainability that conflict with the desire to feed the appetite of the consumer. Click HERE to read
Where is my Mind?
A campaign in aid of The Alzheimer’s Society to raise awareness and funds for research. My idea came after research found there was a lack of activism towards the younger generation, which seems bizarre to me as the disease does not only effect the elderly, and families including young people suffer as a result. I decided to make primarily memory related items; a calendar, a notebook, but also T-shirts and downloadable screensavers to further promote the cause. I wanted to keep it light, charity fatigue is rife, but going on the model of the (RED) campaign, or the charity Christmas card market, our consumption for desirable objects remains, especially when there is a good cause to donate to.
Click on the image to view a selection from the Where is my Mind? gallery. For further information on the project or to view the full range of goods for sale, please visit the website
