Inside the HMP Isis Prison fashion project

Conceived of and initiated in 2024, the innovative HMP Isis menswear fashion design project developed by Sarah Gresty and Louis Loizou from BA Fashion culminated this January with a fashion show inside the prison.

Eighteen men took part, many of whom had childhood memories of spending time with their mothers or grandmothers shopping for fabric or watching them sew. All of them loved fashion however most had never had the opportunity to express themselves within a creative workshop before.

Throughout the programme of workshops, which began in March 2025, the project tutors encouraged the men to experiment with sewing machines, to try out different effects and techniques and to develop confidence in their skills and design judgement. The tutors demonstrated how to cut out a paper pattern and construct a garment and supported the men as they followed the same process to create their own pieces, which were eventually shown on the prison runway. Fashion alum and LFW designer Joshua Ewusie also contributed to the workshops, supporting the men and giving them insights into careers within the fashion industry.

Scoping and preparing the project took two years and involved involving funding applications, training sessions, safeguarding protocols and extensive work to find sponsors. The project team drew on the insight and guidance provided by Lorraine Gamman, Professor of Design and Director of Design Against Crime. Blackhorse Lane Atelier, Walthamstow was the generous sponsor who agreed to produce one hundred men s jackets at no cost.

Each workshop created space not only for hands-on learning - drawing, paper pattern making, machine sewing, embroidery design and garment making but also for discussion, personal idea development and learning skills. The men were encouraged to develop a unique and personal embroidery motif, which were realised by the CSM digital embroidery department. Blackhorse Lane Atelier then produced the embroidered jackets for the men, along with a further eighty to be sold to raise funds for future projects.

Through the process the men acquired new design abilities and found space for authentic emotional expression. They developed essential transferable skills for future employment and reintegration and many spoke of the profound positive impact of spending time in a creative environment away from the wing. They fed back that the workshops helped them decompress, improved their mental wellbeing and offered meaningful social connection. Several expressed a strong desire for more opportunities like this one.

The fashion show at the South London prison on 30 January 2026 - the first ever in a UK prison - saw the men modelling their own designs. Seventy-five people attended the event and over 30 jackets were sold on the day, raising funds for future iterations of the project. The event stands as a powerful reminder of the role creativity can play in rehabilitation, offering not only skills and confidence, but hope for life after prison as well.