Patrick McDowell said he was inspired by his late grandmother’s style for his latest collection, which featured silk evening gowns, nipped-in waists and a sprinkle of suiting.
“This collection is about my grandmother, who was born in 1923. She used to make clothes for herself during the war, and smaller versions for her little sisters,” McDowell said backstage.
The tailored silhouettes took inspiration from styles of the 1940s and ‘50s, when his grandmother got married. McDowell even closed the show with a wedding dress made from five upcycled dresses from that period.
“I learned to sew on my grandmother’s sewing machine,” the designer added. One satin dress came embellished with vintage thimbles dangling from silver chains.
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But with rose prints stamped on sheer capes, flouncy gowns and structured outerwear, he might have also drawn inspiration from his recent rose-shaped Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, handed to him by Kate Middleton last May. The prize recognizes young designers who are making a difference through sustainable practices or community engagement.
The designer, who is a participant in the BFC’s Low Carbon Transition Program, which helps educate London-based businesses on decarbonizing supply chains, even partnered with companies including Certilogo to ensure that every piece in the collection was traceable.
Handbags, made in collaboration with Aspinal of London, featured jewel encrusted roses.