Rachel Greig

BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear

Press Release The SS ‘13 collection, from Rachel Greig, explores the concept of pilgrimage, and considers the contrast between medieval and modern day pilgrimage, on Rite of Passage holidays to destinations such as Malia, Magaluf and Kavos. The collection investigates both the metaphorical and physical journey of a pilgrimage and the personal transformation that takes place, through the process of the collection itself. Playing with the contrast between medieval pilgrims wanting to better oneself with 21st century pilgrims celebrating the acts of debauchery and degrading oneself amongst friends, the collection embodies a fun and yet sophisticated aesthetic, with foil fringe skirts and pleated fabric detail and accents. Silhouette and fabric consideration has been taken from classical 15th century paintings, and in particular the concept of medieval pilgrims seeking holy relics and purity. Religious references to modesty and innocence have taken the form of the fabric pleated headpieces, ‘wimples’, worn by medieval women and nuns, and it is from this research that the recurring drape influence of the collection has been developed. In contrast to the medieval influence the other side of the collection has been developed from a case study of ‘Essex Boys Maga 13’ and their pilgrimage to Magaluf. Research images include their numbered jersey tops to distinguish their group, and conceptually their manipulated and falling off clothing in drunken photos forms a large basis for the entire collection’s slouchy aesthetic. Research of the boys passed out in bed after a night out have formed designs developed from initial drape, using bedsheets. Elastic details have also been considered and developed from the elasticated corner of bedsheets, and repeated in different sized elastic and different places on the garments. Recurring numbers, from Look 1 to Look 6 are placed and incorporated into the garments, to convey the numbered jerseys of the holiday groups. The numbers have been distorted and warped to continue the theme of crushed and manipulated clothing, inspired by drunken photos of the ‘Essex Boys Maga 13’ with their clothing pulled, falling off, and ripped. This research has also branched into the theme of drunken injuries and hospital references such as side slits and open back tops and dresses are apparent in the garments. Finishes have been taken from the sports element of the t-shirts and tank tops worn by the boys, with simple binding on most garments, and raw edged pleats and necklines have also been incorporated to continue the theme of breaking down society’s expectations and the detrimental process partaken on these holidays. EDUCATION London College of Fashion // 2010 - 2013 BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Technology: Womenswear UCA // 2009-2010 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Distinction) WORK EXPERIENCE Giles Deacon // May-June 2012 Sample Room intern Vogue Fashion Cupboard // December 2012 Assistant stylist Marios Schwab // August-September 2011 Production Intern rachelgreig21@gmail.com