SHABIRA DOWLEY

Shabira Dowley is a Luxury, womenswear Knitwear label launched in 2012. The brand currently focuses on made to order pieces and has a small Recycled Collection in The Laden Showrooms, Brick Lane, London. Bespoke commissions are also welcome.

Shabira Dowley is made in the UK and concentrates on sourcing top quality natural yarns wherever possible to create fresh and exciting knitwear for today’s consumer.

Shabira recently graduated with a BA HONS in Fashion Design in 2011 where she then continued to showcase her collection at London Graduate Fashion Week.

“The disheveled knitwear gives this collection a really magical feel. The collection uses delicate butterflies as a theme but mixed with the chunky knits creates a beautiful juxtaposition.”

The Graduate Collection drew inspiration from Japanese artist Iori Tomita ‘New World Transparent Specimens’. They were jarred skeletons that had been injected with bright colored ink. I took this idea of the specimen being encased but still clearly visible and related it to my use of fabrics and textile applications. Using lots of layered sheer fabrics and creating and deconstructing my own knitted fabrics to create this idea of sheer encasing of the body.

Shabira also has a passion for drawing which she received the illustration award from the British Fashion Council in 2011. If you are interested in viewing her drawings please visit the website.

Shabira is continuing to develop the brand and in endeavoring to distribute to more boutiques in London and around the UK.