One To Watch: Catherine Patterson

Colors and cultures collide in this London College of Fashion student’s collection. From Catherine:

The intention of the collection intends to expose exploitation through the imposition of westernization by rebelling against it, through designing a revolutionary combatant style. In wanting to learn more about my partner and his family’s background, being from the Democratic Republic of Congo, I read such books as Adam Hochschild’s ‘King Leopold’s Ghosts’ and Chancellor William’s ‘The Destruction of Black Civilization. With the history, corruption and traditions of the Congo, I was deeply inspired and very passionate to learn more on a personal level and to develop this through a design process. The clothing will make evident the conflict between the Western and African culture by deconstructing and then fusing the elements together in a contrasting way. Looking at the Black Panther’s in particular on how their uniform portrayed their revolutionary message and why is it important to focal point the corruption of westernization? By juxtaposing the Western culture with the African culture, combining the traditions of the Congo, the zig-zag design, by bonding fabrics together and rastering the zig-zag pattern through on the laser cutting machine onto staple western pieces and silhouettes; the clothing is then heavily embellished with gold paperclips, ring pulls and safety pins, giving it a hand crafted, individual look. The pieces make a statement, with an exaggerated style and excessive colour palette.

More here.