Kitty Lawrence

Grey Sheep

kittyhlawrence

Location

wellington / new zealand

University

massey university wellington

Graduation year

2015

Contact

I am emerging fashion designer and recent Fashion Design and Small Business Management graduate from Massey University Wellington, New Zealand. Designing with a purpose or meaning is important to me, I love being inspired by something and I take a rational approach to designing through intense research. I have a minimal and clean aesthetic and love to highlight the simplicity of a garment, focusing on the quality of my garments as investment pieces. Designing is my favorite part of the whole process, as I'm sure it is everyone else's, I love being inspired and am hugely influenced by my surroundings and ethical concerns that spark inspiration within me to design, I thrive off challenging myself with restrictions when designing in order to design specifically and successfully for that particular market. I love challenging the conventional pattern making lines weather draping or traditionally flat pattern making and modernizing the processes I use, pattern making and construction being my less favorite processes of fashion design mean I like to research and adapt to different techniques that work better for myself as a designer. Finer details are a main focus for me as I think they add value to any piece, my small obsession with french seams may illustrate this! My latest collection Lola was inspired by a skin condition called Epidermolysis Bullosa, this is a condition where the skin is so fragile it breaks from the slightest seams. I designed specifically to this market using soft natural textiles and minimizing or eliminating as many seams as possible on the inside of garments. The collection is very minimal as it had huge construction restrictions however the finer details speak for themselves with a desirable and luxurious look, which is something I wish to successfully master. I am a huge believer in fresh and clean finishes and good quality textiles, i think they add value to the garment. I am a keen learner when it comes to design processes and would love to dip my toes into something that challenges me!

Latest Collection

Lola A/W16

Inspired by a skin condition Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare skin condition where the skin is so fragile and delicate that even the slightest touch will harm their skin. Meeting a young friend at just 2 years old with this condition inspired me to do something. Lola is a collection that is mindful of this condition and aims to create a positive contribution to contemporary fashion through creating awareness, and to better the well-being of those affected. As Alison Gwilt (2014) states "garments should consider the wearers' problems, experience, desire and engagement with the garment", this has been inspirational towards designing my collection. Design considerations of fabric choices, new pattern design lines, shapes and construction methods have been taken into account to minimize irritation against the skin. Lola, is "for those whose skin doesn't work" (Debra Charity NZ, 2015). I would like to dedicate this collection to my young affected friend.