Customisation

The stories behind the AW20 collection, the sources belonging to Welsh folklore and textile traditions were introduced and talked over in the first workshops. From there on, each person was encouraged to freely explore whatever aspect of the project interested them further. Whether it’s sketching, designing, making, styling, casting, modelling or wanting to get involved with photography, the whole point of this collaborative work is to create a place for free self-expression to happen outside school and home.

By explaining and demystifying all the jobs, imaginative skills and technical processes, and giving visibility to all the different types of teamwork that happen behind the scenes in fashion, young people living in a small community grow up to enjoy experimenting, affirming their identities, stretching their curiosity and gaining the confidence that it’s possible to do whatever they want.

Working towards a professional fashion shoot with the McQueen team, fittings and workshops took place in Blaina community centre, where the young people had an insight into altering pieces on the body, styling their final looks and customising dresses and accessories with the McQueen team and Charlotte James. They were given Polaroid cameras to shoot what they were doing, and introduced to the importance of making design notes, sketches and mood-boards which is integral to developing the ideas behind collections at the Alexander McQueen studio.