Fashion designer Eleni Kyriacou reflects on her "experiences of exposing the abusive culture at the Bartlett School of Architecture" in her latest collection. The capsule, although largely drawing inspiration from trauma, has a hopeful and empowering message. Titled Time to Rebuilt, the capsule includes various garments—from dresses to unisex pieces—that embrace experimental designs and a consistent material palette. Eleni Kyriacou also derives inspiration from Constellations, a 23-painting series by Spanish surrealist Joan Miró. The designer was specifically drawn to Miró's use of lines, as well as his commitment to "addressing issues around equality, diversity and inclusion."
Eleni Kyriacou did not launch Time to Rebuild on the catwalk but rather presented the silhouettes with a series of improvised dances.
Trauma-Informed Fashion Lines
Eleni Kyriacou Draws on Her Own Experiences in These New Designs
Trend Themes
1. Trauma-informed Fashion - There is an opportunity to create more fashion lines like Eleni Kyriacou's that embrace a hopeful and empowering message while drawing inspiration from trauma.
2. Experimental Designs - There is potential for innovation in fashion design by incorporating experimental elements in garments that address issues around equality, diversity and inclusion.
3. Presenting Fashion Off the Catwalk - Presenting fashion in a unique and unconventional way, as Eleni Kyriacou did with improvised dances, can disrupt and add novelty to the fashion industry.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - Fashion industry players can take inspiration from Eleni Kyriacou's approach and create fashion lines that are more inclusive and address issues around diversity, equality, and inclusion.
2. Art - The intersection between art and fashion, as demonstrated in Eleni Kyriacou's use of Joan Miró's Constellations could be further explored, leading to more innovation in the art and fashion industries.
3. Performing Arts - Collaborating with performing artists and integrating performances into fashion presentations provides a disruptive opportunity to capture the attention of audiences while showcasing fashion.