Exploring Discarded Materials: The F&F Catwalk Award Winner On Her Collection ‘Throttle Therapy’
An Interview with the winner of the The F&F x GFF and Bath Spa University Catwalks: Pippa Bowerman
Pippa Bowerman is a design graduate from the Isle of Wight who has always been drawn to things with character, history and purpose. Growing up surrounded by people who make and fix things has shaped the way she approaches design. Her mum teaches pottery and her dad is a mechanic, so she naturally developed a hands-on mindset. She loves problem-solving, understanding how things are constructed and experimenting with new forms, from hand beading to metalwork.
This mindset carried through into her final year, when she chose to take a more unconventional route and live in a caravan while developing her designs. Although tough at times, it allowed her to put everything she had into the collection, reflecting the way she works: being resourceful, adaptable and finding creative solutions to give discarded materials a second life. Destined for landfill, she managed to save a leather sofa, used horse tack, vintage tablecloths and even chicken feathers, transforming them into garments that already carried a story.
Her design process is instinctive and material-led. She finds inspiration in everyday moments, from the way denim naturally scrunches into a boot to the cascading drapes created by a simple T-shirt tuck. She likes to begin by manipulating existing garments through draping, allowing the materials to guide the outcome. This approach helped shape Throttle Therapy, a collection inspired by her mum’s rebellious spirit and her connection to both the biker community and western riding. Exploring this emotional crossover, the collection celebrates freedom and individuality while encouraging people to see the beauty in what already exists.
What unexpected source influenced your final outcome?
“Without a doubt the entire source of inspiration came as a surprise, but Bristol biker Jon Deko became an unexpected source of influence that redirected my collection. Jon, who has known my mother through the biker community for years, owns a custom Harley-Davidson workshop and generously shared his stories, personal journey into bikes, and perspective on how motorcycle culture has evolved from the one-percenters of the 1980s to its meaning today.
The feeling of freedom and adrenaline associated with riding is something that notoriously cannot be explained, only authentically felt. Hearing Jon’s perspective allowed me to look beyond the aesthetic of biker culture and understand the emotion, identity and sense of liberation behind it, creating a powerful balance within my collection. ”
What’s the best piece of creative advice you’ve ever received?
“The best creative advice I have received is that the goal isn’t to make everyone like your work; it’s to stay true to yourself and create something that connects with the right people. This has stayed with me throughout my practice and is why I avoid leaning too heavily into trends that can disappear as quickly as they arrive.”
How would you describe your creative voice in three words?
“Scrappy, intuitive, curious”
What kind of impact do you hope your work has beyond aesthetics?
“As sustainability becomes an increasingly important part of fashion’s future, I hope my work encourages people to see waste as a source of inspiration and a starting point for new ideas. I believe there is value in understanding the character behind a material — the life it has had, the stories it carries and the potential it still holds. This is especially important when working with leather, as is such a unique type of material to work with and when cared for properly can last for decades. By preserving and reimagining these materials, I hope to extend their journey and honor the life and craftsmanship already embedded within them.”
Which designer, artist or creative would you most like to show your work to?
“I would love to show my collection and talk through my process with Stella McCartney. I admire how she continues to push towards a more sustainable future in fashion while remaining true to a distinctive brand identity. The combination of feminine elements with strong tailoring creates collections that feel effortlessly considered and timeless, with a quality that withstands changing trends. This balance of sustainability, craftsmanship and longevity reflects many of the values I wanted to explore through my own work.”
What advice would you give to a student currently starting their final collection or portfolio?
“Advice I wish I had was don’t try to plan exactly how your collection will look. It may not feel like it in the beginning, and it definitely won’t in the final months, but you do have the time to explore your ideas - give it time and space. Stay open to avenues of inspiration you never expected to have such an impact on your work. Some of the most meaningful parts of my collection came from allowing the process to evolve naturally, trusting my instincts and following the unexpected discoveries along the way. Using my collection ’Throttle Therapy’ for example, all it took was seeing a ceramic glazed vase to completely derail my entire concept and begin developing around the inspiration of ‘Joannes Genetics’.”
What conversations do you hope your work starts?
“It has been incredible to see the conversations already beginning through social media, but I hope my work encourages further discussion around the importance of craftsmanship and human skill within fashion. In a world increasingly driven by speed and modernity, I believe there will be a strong shift back to simplicity with empathisis on detail, connecting to the clothes rather than just wearing.”
So what’s next for you after graduating?
“Now that I’ve graduated, I’m currently trying to find my feet within the industry - eager to learn more in design based fields, technical fitting and buying in particular, excited to take on new responsibilities and widen my commercial awareness of the design process. I’m open to avenues in different departments as can see real value of becoming a well-rounded, versatile designer. I am also beyond grateful to soon be working alongside the F&F team, to commercialise the collection and eventually see it in stores!”
View Pippa’s Instagram here.
