GFW: Elizabeth Daniell
WWB's Natalie Dawson speaks to Graduate Fashion Week designers, to find out what inspires them.

Name: Elizabeth Daniell.

Education: BA Hons Fashion Design, Nottingham Trent University.

Natalie Dawson: What was the inspiration behind the collection?

Elizabeth Daniell: The element of control is the main theme I based my collection around, which was something I explored through my dissertation based on voyeurism.

The notion of paranoia and the feeling of being watched is something which intrigues me as we now live in a society where we are being constantly surveyed, usually by forces we have no control over.

I wanted to take this vulnerability and counteract it with armour like garments through the use of laser-cut layers acting as a defense against the elements, giving the wearer the ability to take back control and become an empowered woman.

The confused state of mind and lack of control is interpreted through the blurred and colliding prints on the silk and chiffon, while the controlled and defiant presence is found within the sharp silhouettes, restricting metal belts and cage-like laser-cut structures.

ND: What do you specialise in and where do you find your inspiration?

ED: My specialism lies within the combination of innovative laser-cutting techniques and bold digital prints.

I found my inspiration for the geometric shapes and graphic lines predominantly in Paris, from works of art in the Pompidou Centre to buildings and structures I came across such as the Louvre pyramid and the Pompidou Centre itself. I also found a lot of inspiring imagery for my collection through fashion blogs and conceptual magazines.

ND: How did you get into design and what made you choose this course?

ED: I have always been creative and began to design clothes from an early age. I excelled in textiles at secondary school so naturally went on to do art and textiles at A Level, followed by an art foundation year before coming to Nottingham Trent University.

I decided to take a year out after my second year, to do a series of work placements to gain a better understanding of how the fashion industry operates, so I worked for the likes of Hannah Marshall and MASC which I thoroughly enjoyed. This also made me more focused when I came back to study for my final year.

ND: What are your plans and aspirations for the future?

ED: I would like to gain as much experience in the fashion industry as possible, while continuing with my own projects. I would love to have my own label one day.