Introducing Denise Semedo Lopes' Outerwear Collection

Denise Semedo Lopes of BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear, has embraced the art of collaboration for her recent womenswear collection.

Denise, who is in her third year on the course, worked with fellow students Sarah Ejionye, Lloyda Tenneh Bangura and Lorraine Longdon on a set of cropped puffer jackets, mixing a contemporary shape with a stylish cut.

LCF Stories caught up with Denise, who shared her thoughts on sustainable garment making, creative freedom and heritage-inspired techniques.

Please talk us through the concept for your collection...

The collection was influenced by warmth and comfort in outwear clothing. I explored how I could utilise wasted outwear jackets and mend them using details that are already on the jacket. Currently, there is so much waste in the fashion industry, and when designing this collection it was important for me to evaluate how I could minimise or make use of any waste.

Because of the padding and volume of the puffer jacket, I had the freedom to continue building on top after it was made. I did this by using the materials wasted during the making process and layering onto the jacket. This used details such as gathering and padding from the construction. However, I was also conscious that it still had to be functional and practical for everyday wear.

How did you approach the other students involved to collaborate?

I reached out to Lorriane, Sarah and Lloyda via Instagram and we exchanged mood boards on ideas we had for the shoot and the overall outcome of the collaboration. It was my first experience collaborating outside of my course projects and it was amazing seeing all our ideas come together. I do have plans to work on another collaborative project on my final collection.

How does your heritage lend to your work, if at all?

My heritage does lend to my work often through concepts exploring traditions or values.  For example, I am Portuguese and Cape Verdean and in my last project, I explored craft and mend techniques in Cape Verde and how I could bring some of those techniques into my current practice.

Full Credits:

Denise Semedo Lopes, BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear - Designer

Sarah Ejionye, BA (Hons) Fashion Photography - Photographer

Lloyda Tenneh Banura, BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles: Knit - Model

Lorriane Longdon, BA (Hons) Hair and Make Up for Fashion - MUA