This collection is inspired by the idea of nostalgia, making memories and how our recollection of the past affects who we are. Taking photos to capture memories, looking back on old photos, perhaps reminiscing on those that are no longer with us, transports us to a time and an emotion, which I wanted to capture within the collection. Photographs are a beautiful window into the past, however our memories of an event tend to overlap in a similar way to how frames from a moving image can overlap and present a double exposed image, the exact recollection of an event becomes unclear. ‘Double Exposure’, the collection is a reference to those unclear recollected memories where the narrative we choose to remember is malleable and specific to the person. On occasions, where memories are difficult to deal with, we choose a softer narrative to aid our mental recovery. We often consider elastic as being a material that allows for stretch, but elastic by its very nature allows for change and then it can resume its recovery to the normal shape. My collection works with elastic to move and flex with our body shape and movement, a metaphor for our memories, whilst allowing the garments to resume to its original shape. Memories are represented within the collection with print and laser etchings taken from photographs of family and friends. Nostalgia and sustainability have been considered in my fabric choice. Hanna Hats established in 1924 in my locality, donated fabrics they have acquired many years previous. The use of the linen/silk represents nostalgia and heritage within my collection. Hanna Hats is regarded as a sustainable company who “only use authentic, locally sourced materials”
