Harriet Cook

Open Fashion / Category

"I used 3D structural beading throughout inspired by the structures in my garden and the glasshouses at Kew."

— Harriet Cook
Mentor – Beatrice Korlekie Newman

My concept is inspired by my own garden, Kew Gardens and Columbia Road Flower Market. Photography is used to make collages exploring negative space and colour proportion. Drawings are also used to inform colour, texture and design. Multiple mediums which are layered and combined with mark making influences the combination of fabrics and embroidery techniques chosen to make the pieces. Collages of the floral imagery I collected were also used to inform colour choices and 3D layered beading.

A mixture of fibres, glossy, matt and textured are combined to make a maximalist garment reminiscent of a colourful herbaceous border. Techniques such as beading as well as hand pleating were used to form texture and add 3D elements to the designs. I used 3D structural beading throughout inspired by the structures in my garden and the glasshouses at Kew to give the essence of a garden on fabrics. I also recycled plastic bottles and packaging by using it to build up the 3D elements to acknowledge the problem of plastic waste in our environments.

I am a Fashion Embroidery graduate from London College of Fashion. During the lockdown I have found that I enjoy gardening and Kew Gardens has always been one of my favourite places. I was inspired by nature throughout my degree and thought that this competition would be a great way of combining these two interests.

Harriet Cook
Harriet Cook - image from the official 2020 Prize shoot
Harriet Cook - Supporting materials
Harriet Cook - Supporting materials
Harriet Cook - image from the official 2020 Prize shoot
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