Megan Williams
Meet GFF talent Megan Williams, a fashion and textile design graduate at the University of Portsmouth. Megan’s final project began as an exploration of space and evolved to consider how colour and textiles may impact mental health and wellbeing. Her concept-driven collection aims to soothe and relax, evoking feelings of liberation and freedom. Read on to learn more about Megan’s work and her plans for the future.
What is the most valuable thing you have learnt at university?
My course at university has allowed me to explore many different avenues which have given me further insight into the fashion industry. The most valuable part of my course is the fact I am taught fashion and textile practise in equal measures. Due to this, I have learnt to be more adaptable in my time at university by being able to focus on both sides of fashion and textiles.
What was the starting point of inspiration for your final project?
Space was the main initial concept which informed my collection. Space informed my main digital dye-sublimation print, through the use of soft watercolours depicting galaxies. My concept then moved onto the idea of dreaming and feeling liberated. In this collection, the idea of dreaming led to thinking about mental wellbeing, hence the cool calming tones of the colour palette.
What form will your final project take?
My collection is in the form of three outfits made up of several garments. I have then arranged many photoshoots to visualise my garments on a model and in a setting which elevates the concept of my collection.
What materials have you used and how did you source them?
My collection is made up of sheer, flowing fabrics and up-cycled parachutes and structured up-cycled PVC’s. I sourced these materials in many different ways some are from online retailers. When sourcing materials from online retailers, I would order fabric swatches first to allow me to see which would work best for my collection. The majority of my materials are up-cycled and one of the main pieces in my collection is a parachute dress, which is made from an up-cycled military parachute. This allowed me to think about using more obscure materials as I would have never thought a parachute could be made into something which would fit into my collection. I also use a variety of PVC's in my garments which I have sourced from second hand raincoats.
How has it evolved from your initial ideas and what have you learnt along the way?
My concept has evolved massively through making and designing this collection as whenI look back at my initial designs and samples they are very different to what my garments have developed into now. As I said before, my initial concept was space and although this concept is still apparent in my work, I feel my collection has a much deeper meaning now highlighting ideas such as mental health and wellbeing.
What are the messages and themes behind your project that you want people to take away? Do explore any topics like diversity, sustainability or politics in your work?
When people look at my collection, I want them to think of the deeper message I am portraying. My collection ‘Bedtime Stories’ is a collection which aims at making you feel free in a restrictive world. Dreaming, can make you feel liberated but also trapped in a nightmare. My collection targets today’s society, pressured and uptight, allowing you to feel liberated and free.
What’s an aspect of the fashion industry that you’re passionate about fixing or having a positive impact on?
I am very passionate that fashion should be a place where everyone is welcome. Although the fashion industry spreads endless amounts positive messages, I still feel that it can be very restrictive especially when it comes to body image and diversity. I do feel this is something the fashion industry has improved on, but I feel in today’s society it should not be a question of having diversity in this industry.
What is your plan once you finish your BA?
In the future I want to grasp a wide range of opportunities that captures my creativity and would allow me to broaden my skillset and knowledge of the fashion industry. I will challenge myself to explore my brand identity further in order to push boundaries and be bold ensuring I stand out with thought provoking, powerful concepts. I am extremely passionate about the design process and it is something I want to indulge and experiment with further in future collections. During my time at university I began to explore areas such as styling, visual communications and fashion photography I thrived in the opportunity to complete the whole collection and then market it and would be interested in developing these skills further.