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LCFBA18: Fashion Contour brings together burlesque with UV and untamed oceans

Written by
Josh De Souza Crook Published date
29 May 2018

This year’s BA season begins with three BA (Hons) Fashion Contour students who used their final projects to highlight the dangers of UV, showcase a spectacular church in Cornwall and tell a story of burlesque inspired lingerie that intoxicates men. Florence Morris-Clarke, Sophie Beet and Maeve Huthwaite talk to us about the techniques that went into designs and life at London College of Fashion ahead of our LCFBA18 exhibition at Oval Space, east London, on 6 June.

LCFBA18 is taking place at Oval Space, east London, between 6 June.

First up for LCFBA18 is BA (Hons) Fashion Contour graduate Florence Morris-Clarke who used contour to celebrate modern femininity and empowerment through exquisite craftsmanship. We asked Florence to tell us an interesting fact about herself, she replied by saying she is “actually a mermaid”. Her final project is a range inspired by Saint Senara’s church in Zennor, Cornwall. She told us each garment consists of mostly hand-stitched pieces, with designs featuring freshwater Keshi pearls and semi-precious stones. The range is designed to act as a transition from the structure and restrictions of land through to the release, wildness and freedom of untamed oceans. The ocean and wilderness is a big part of Florence’s personality and design identity. We asked her to describe her time at LCF, she replied with, “The best decision I have ever made”.

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BA (Hons) Fashion Contour graduate Florence Morris-Clarke for LCFBA18.

Next on our series is BA (Hons) Fashion Contour graduate Sophie Beet who collaborated with Cosmetic Science students on her final project to create an accompanying sunscreen for her UV protective swimwear range. Already cautious of the consequences UV can have on millions across Northern Europe and Australia, Sophie wanted to create a range that highlights the dangers of the sun in an effort to reduce skin cancer. Her range features innovative laser cut designs that are new features to the swimwear market. Her collection is trend orientated in order to help promote safe sun behaviour whilst tanning or on holiday. She developed a sunscreen to compliment the swimwear with a cross-course collaboration with Cosmetic Science students at LCF. “What makes these products unique is the idea of visibly showing that the sunscreen you’ve applied to your skin has worn off. Therefore to show this, a subtle shimmer glitter,” explains Sophie. Before starting her Fashion Contour degree, Sophie was on the LCF Study Abroad programme. Her interesting fact about herself is that she interned in New York whilst on the programme at LCF.

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BA (Hons) Fashion Contour student Sophie Beet for LCFBA18.

Our BA (Hons) Fashion Contour feature closes with graduate Maeve Huthwaite who created a range of burlesque inspired lingerie. She was inspired by her name and it’s Irish origins – Maeve means the woman who intoxicates men. This range was created by using unorthodox materials for lingerie such as metal, faux fur and leather. Maeve used a lot of cutouts and layering throughout this range, with the lingerie designed to be seen when worn. Maeve’s interesting fact about her is that she interned in New York and Amsterdam during her internship year.

http://www.instagram.com/p/BiymHSpHsoN/?taken-by=maeve.lingerie